Russian Helicopters To Install At Least 308 Updated Powerplants

Russian Helicopters, JSC and French Turbomeca (Safran group), have signed contracts for the supply of at least 308 Turbomeca Ardiden 3G turbo shaft engines to be installed on the updated Ka-62 helicopter. This announcement follows the 'protocol of intentions' contract signed on 21 February 2010, outlining the development and delivery of the Safran engines for the Russian-built Ka-62 helicopter.

Ks-62 Photo Courtesy Russian Helicopters

The Ardiden 3 line engines are designed for medium-lift helicopters which perform a variety of functions and can fully respond to market requirements in this growing niche. Turbomeca says the modular design and dual channel FADEC make the Ardiden 3 highly reliable and easy to use, with the benefit of low fuel consumption. The Ka-62 are to be fitted with a specific variant of the Ardiden 3 family, the Ardiden 3G engine. Currently Russian Helicopters is expanding its range of light and medium multifunctional twin-engine helicopters intended for multiple missions such as transport, EMS, aerial work and surveillance.

The Ka-62 helicopter is a new single-rotor design in the medium class designed to international flight safety requirements. It is built with an enclosed tail rotor and an airframe and propeller blades consisting of over 50% polymeric composite materials. It is designed to transport 12 to 14 passengers in the cabin or a 2.5 ton load on the external sling, and is equipped with anti-icing and fire-fighting systems in standard configuration. The Ka-62 is expected to be certified in 2014 and will be used by the oil & gas industry, for search and rescue missions and corporate transportation.

"(W)e have signed this important supply agreement, underpinning our long-term relationship with Turbomeca," said Dmitry Petrov, Chief Executive of Russian Helicopters. "By working with an internationally renowned manufacturer we will undoubtedly promote Russian Helicopters in the global market."

This is not the first joint project between Russian Helicopters and Turbomeca: in 2009 they contracted the development and serial engine production of the Arrius 2G1 to be installed on Ka-226T, the new Russian light twin-engine helicopter with coaxial rotor.

Turbomeca and Russian Helicopters also discussed ways of broadening the Russian-French partnership in prospective Russian helicopter development programs, commencing joint work on aftersales service of Russian rotorcraft fitted with Turbomeca engines.

FMI: http://rus-helicopters.ru/en/, www.turbomeca.com