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Leonardo and Safran Partner for AW09 Propulsion System

Latest Prototype Shows New Production Engine Proposal

Leonardo and Safran Helicopter Engines have agreed to work together to further enhance the capabilities and competitiveness of the next-generation AW09 single-engine helicopter.

The production aircraft will feature the 1,000shp class Arriel 2K engine, selection of which guarantees the most efficient level of industrialisation, global supply and supportability for customers. The existing support network will provide innovative, simplified and competitive maintenance solutions and cost of operations, sustained by tailored service plans and ‘Support-by-the-Hour’ contracts, as well as a range of digital services.

The two companies boast a longstanding and now further expanding partnership, covering propulsion systems for light twins up to super medium class helicopters. They also now share the highest level of interest and commitment for the single-engine commercial market and its future evolution. “Since the integration of Kopter into our organisation, and the introduction of the AW09 into our product range, we have firmly maintained our commitment to deliver to the market exactly what it expects from a single engine of the latest standards, backed by an efficient and responsive global support network. The decision to select this propulsion system is totally consistent with this strategy and we look forward to working with our partner to bring the most modern single engine on the commercial market,” commented Gian Piero Cutillo, MD of Leonardo Helicopters. Franck Saudo, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, added, “We will bring to the AW09 our strong expertise in single-engine helicopter applications, together with the specific features of the engine. The Arriel 2K engine is the latest version of the well-known Arriel engine family and will clearly bring [a] high level of capability, reliability and ease of operations to the AW09.

The new propulsion system is already installed on the latest AW09 prototype, PS4 (Pre Series 4), which is about to start flight test activities at Kopter’s facility in Mollis. PS4 includes all developments implemented and tested on P3, the previous prototype, allowing the final configuration to be reached. PS5, the next and final prototype, is planned to follow later this year.

The programme made major advances in 2022, in parallel with the integration of the production propulsion system, including flying the new (and final) main rotor blades and agreeing the type certification basis with EASA. The AW09 will continue to be developed by Kopter in Switzerland with the contribution of joint Leonardo/Kopter teams. Kopter is set to become a Centre of Competence for new light helicopters and an incubator of new technologies for vertical flight, thus contributing to development of new hybrid and electrical propulsion systems, and playing an important role in Leonardo’s Be Tomorrow 2030 strategic plan, which aims to establish a leading position in the civil rotorcraft market and modern air mobility.

 

PS4, the latest AW09 prototype, features the new production configuration of the Arriel 2K. (Leonardo)

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Publish date

01/26/2023

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