French manufacturer Turbomeca has delivered the first production Arrius 2R engine to Bell Helicopter for the airframer’s in-development 505 Jet Ranger X.
The event took place last month, Turbomeca discloses, following assembly of the 505shp (380kW) turboshaft at its Bordes facility in southwest France. However, future production engines will be built at a site in Dallas, Texas.
Jean-François Sauer, Arrius 2R programme vice-president, says it is on track to achieve EASA certification for the engine by year-end.
“Delivering on the Arrius 2R program is among Turbomeca’s top priorities.”
Bell Helicopter
Handover of the powerplant comes hot on the heels of the 27 August opening of Bell’s new final assembly line for the Jet Ranger X in Lafayette, Louisiana.
The new 82,300ft² (7,640m²) facility at Lafayette Regional airport represents a $26.3 million investment.
Assembly operations are expected to start early this year with deliveries to follow in 2016 after certification of the aircraft in late 2015.
So far Bell has amassed over 350 tentative orders for the 505. Flight testing continues with two prototypes.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
