Safran, whose world-leading helicopter engine business is Turbomeca, announced it has finalised the acquisition from Rolls-Royce of Rolls-Royce’s 50 per cent share in their joint RTM322 helicopter engine programme. The cash consideration for the transaction amounts to 293 million euros ($396.1 million).

Henceforth, Turbomeca will assume global responsibility for the design, production, product support and services (spares and maintenance, repair and overhaul) for the RTM322 engine, which powers the Apache, EH101 and NH90 helicopters. Rolls-Royce will provide full support during a transition phase enabling progressive transfer of all their activities to Turbomeca under this programme.

The RTM322 is a priority programme for Turbomeca and the company is committed to the continued technical and commercial development of this programme to improve its global performance, as well as to investments to serve in the long term the strategic market segment of the most powerful helicopter turbines (3,000 shp and above).

The RTM322 is a two-shaft engine featuring a three-stage axial and close-coupled centrifugal compressor driven by a two-stage gas generator turbine. The combustion system is a large-volume, reverse-flow annular type with vaporisers. A two-stage power turbine drives a coaxial shaft passing through to the engine front. The engine is controlled by a Fadec (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) system.

The RTM322 helicopter engine, a priority for Turbomeca

Designed from the outset to suit a wide-range of military and commercial helicopter designs, the digitally-controlled RTM322 can also be employed in fixed-wing, maritime and industrial applications. The engine offers a variety of different drive configurations, a choice of three starting systems, and mission-specific options including a high-efficiency inlet particle separator and infra-red suppressor. A comprehensive helicopter health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) is also available, providing extensive engine self-diagnostic capabilities.

Turbomeca is the leading helicopter engine manufacturer, and has produced 70,000 turbines based on its own designs since the company was founded. Offering the widest range of engines in the world and dedicated to 2,500 customers in 155 countries, Turbomeca provides a proximity service thanks to its 16 sites, 30 certified maintenance centres, 18 repair and overhaul centres, and 90 field representatives and field technicians. Microturbo, the subsidiary of Turbomeca, is the European leader in turbojet engines for missiles, drones and auxiliary power units.

Meanwhile, Turbomeca unveiled for the first time the Ardiden 3G engine installed on a prototype of the Russian helicopter Kamov 62 at the MAKS air show.

Colombian operator Vertical de Aviacion ordered five Kamov 62 helicopters on the opening day of the air show. Safran/Turbomeca welcomed this new international contract which confirms the success of the strategic partnership set up between Safran and the Russian high-tech industry. This signature follows that of the Brazilian operator Atlas Taxi Aero for 14 aircraft which took place last December. This new contract confirms the relevance of the strategic choices made by Safran/Turbomeca and strengthens the order book for the new generation engines of the Ardiden family.

The state-of-the-art Ardiden 3 line engines are designed for six- to eight- tonne helicopters which perform a variety of functions and can fully respond to market requirements in this growing segment. The modular design and dual channel Fadec make the Ardiden 3 highly reliable and easy to use, with the benefit of exceptionally low fuel consumption.