United Technologies sister companies join forces to displace incumbent Turbomeca on latest version of helicopter
Pratt & Whitney Canada has emerged as the engine supplier for Sikorsky's S-76D variant with an all-new 1,000shp (455kW) turboshaft, the PW210.
The more powerful engine will displace the S-76's incumbent Turbomeca turboshafts. P&WC is a sister company of Sikorsky within United Technologies. The Canadian manufacturer says "two years of detailed study" has gone into the PW210, which forms the first member of a new generation 800-1,100shp family of engines.
Combining elements of the PW200/600 and PT6 families, the PW210 "is a brand new engine with superior performance in the 1,000shp range," says P&WC president Alain Bellemare. "It is a major investment for us and is a significant commitment to the helicopter market. We have got an engine here that will change the game."
Describing the engine as a "step change" in power-to-weight ratio, P&WC regional airline and turboshaft vice-president Keyvan Fard adds: "It incorporates advances in material and compressor technology, as well as a dual-channel, full-authority digital electronic control system and will produce 10-20% more power while burning less fuel than current engines in its class."
The engine's higher pressure ratio compressor will be similar in design to that of the PW610F turbofan developed for the Eclipse 500 very light jet, and will use higher temperature turbine disk material developed by "Big Pratt" at Pratt & Whitney in Hartford, Connecticut.
The detailed design of the first family member, the PW210S, will be finalised later in 2005 with tests culminating in certification and entry-into-service on the S-76D by mid-2008.
Bellemare says the engine was conceptually developed before a particular helicopter application emerged, reversing the standard relationship between engine maker and airframer.
Few details of the engine selection process have been released, though sources at both Honeywell and Rolls-Royce have indicated that the PW210 announcement was the first that either had been told of the S-76D project.
Source: Flight International
