Invoking the Basque term for “Eagle”, Turbomeca formally unveiled on 5 March the in-development Arrano engine to power the Eurocopter X4.
The Arrano, formerly named the TM800, replaces the Arriel series in the 1,100shp- (820kW-) class of Turbomeca helicopter engines.
Eurocopter selected Turbomeca to supply an engine it has been developing for more to than a decade.
Similar to the 1,100shp class-Honeywell HTS900, the Arrano engine core includes a two-stage, centrifugal compressor design. Turbomeca says the improved compression on the powerplant offers a variety of performance benefits above the previous generation of engines, including a 10-15% reduction in fuel consumption with related benefits for range and payload.
Turbomeca is scheduled to test the first Arrano engine in 2014, supporting X4 entry into service scheduled two years later. Eurocopter plans to publicly introduce the X4 helicopter, a replacement for its 5t EC155 Dauphin, at next year’s Heli-Expo.
The airframer will also offer the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210 as an alternative powerplant on the type.
Source: Flight International
