Safran and Leonardo Collaborate to Enhance Capabilities of Next-Gen AW09 Helicopter

Safran and Leonardo Collaborate to Enhance Capabilities of Next-Gen AW09 Helicopter

(IN BRIEF) Safran Helicopter Engines announced that it has partnered with Leonardo to enhance the capabilities and competitiveness of the next-generation AW09 single-engine helicopter. The production aircraft will be powered by the Arriel 2K engine, the latest and most powerful version of the Arriel family, known for its high level of capability, reliability, and ease of operation. Together, Leonardo and Safran Helicopter Engines will provide innovative, simplified, and cost-effective maintenance solutions and support for customers. The AW09 prototype, PS4, has already been installed with the new propulsion system and is set to begin flight test activities at Kopter’s facility in Mollis.

(PRESS RELEASE) BORDES/ ROME, 26-Jan-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Safran (EPA: SAF), a French multinational aircraft engine, rocket engine, aerospace-component and defense company, announces that Safran Helicopter Engines, a leading provider of propulsion systems for single-engine helicopters, is excited to announce its partnership with Leonardo to enhance the capabilities and competitiveness of the next-generation AW09 single-engine helicopter. The production aircraft will feature the Arriel 2K engine, the latest and most powerful version of the Arriel family.

The Arriel 2K engine has been specifically designed to provide enhanced performance and efficiency, with a power output of 1000 shp. Its advanced technology guarantees the most efficient level of industrialization, global supply, and supportability for customers. The partnership between Leonardo and Safran Helicopter Engines will provide innovative, simplified, and competitive maintenance solutions and cost of operations, sustained by tailored Power-By-The-Hour and Support-By-the-Hour contracts as well as a range of digital services.

The Arriel 2K engine is known for its high level of capability, reliability, and ease of operation. It is already installed on the latest AW09 prototype, PS4, which is set to begin flight test activities at Kopter’s facility in Mollis. This latest prototype includes all developments implemented and tested on P3, the previous prototype, allowing for the AW09 to reach its final configuration. PS5, the next and final prototype, is planned to follow later in 2023.

Gian Piero Cutillo, MD of Leonardo Helicopters, said: “Since the integration of Kopter into our organization 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.”

Franck Saudo, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, commented: “We are proud that Leonardo has placed its trust once again in Safran Helicopter Engines to power its latest light helicopter. We will bring to the AW09 our strong expertise in single-engine helicopter applications together with the specific feature of the engine. The Arriel 2K engine is the latest version of the well-known Arriel engine family and will clearly bring high level of capability, reliability and ease of operations to the AW09.”

The AW09 program has made major steps forward in 2022 in parallel to the integration of the production propulsion system. This includes flying the new and final main rotor blades and agreeing the type certification basis with EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency). 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. As such, it will contribute to the development of new hybrid and electrical propulsion systems and will play an important role in the framework of Leonardo’s Be Tomorrow 2030 strategic plan, which aims to be in the leading position on the civil rotorcraft market and modern air mobility.

Safran Helicopter Engines is the propulsion market leader for single-engine helicopters. The Arriel is one of Safran’s best sellers with over 15 000 engines in operation. Every day the engine enhances its reputation as a safe and reliable partner, especially for operators flying demanding EMS, search and rescue, law enforcement, maritime surveillance missions and aerial work.

Safran Helicopter Engines is the world’s leading manufacturer of helicopter engines, with more than 75,000 produced since being founded. It offers the widest range of helicopter turboshafts in the world and has more than 2,500 customers in 155 countries.

Leonardo, a global high-technology company, is among the top world players in Aerospace, Defense and Security and Italy’s main industrial company. Organized into five business divisions, Leonardo has a significant industrial presence in Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland and the USA, where it also operates through subsidiaries that include Leonardo DRS (defense electronics), and joint ventures and partnerships: ATR, MBDA, Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space and Avio. Leonardo competes in the most important international markets by leveraging its areas of technological and product leadership (Helicopters, Aircraft, Aerostructures, Electronics, Cyber Security and Space). Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2020 Leonardo recorded consolidated revenues of €13.4 billion and invested €1.6 billion in Research and Development. The company has been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010 and has been confirmed among the global sustainability leaders in 2021. Leonardo is also included in the MIB ESG index. In 2020 Leonardo acquired Kopter and the SH09 helicopter, later renamed AW09.

MEDIA CONTACT

François Julian
Safran Helicopter Engines
+33 7 85 14 16 62
francois.julian@safrangroup.com

SOURCE: Safran