One year after having introduced its new Arriel 2+ family, Turbomeca (Safran group) announces today that the Arriel 2D, part of this new family and certified in May 2011, will power the new EC130T2 helicopter. It offers a take-off-power 14% higher than the Arriel 2B1, powering the current EC130.

Today, 100 Arriel 2D have already been produced and 650 flight hours have been accumulated on the AS350B3e helicopter.

The other Arriel 2+ variants, the, Arriel 2E and Arriel 2N, will respectively power the Eurocopter EC145T2 and AS365 N3e helicopters.

Lower operating costs, higher reliability and higher performance

The Arriel 2+ family (from 895 shp to 950 shp thermal take-off power) benefits from new technology in a proven engine. It comprises five modules providing simplified maintenance at low cost. Furthermore, this new family will offer better performances with lower maintenance costs. The comprehensive Direct Operating Cost will be also reduced, thanks to higher TBO (Time Between Overhaul), up to 4,000 hours at entry into service, then up to 6,000 hours at maturity.

The Arriel 2+ engines are controlled by a new-generation dual-channel FADEC, a benchmark for efficient power control, reducing pilot's workload and increasing safety.

The new Engine Data Recorder, together with the blade-creep monitor, further shifts the emphasis from traditional to preventive maintenance. These innovations also drastically reduce unscheduled removals and significantly improve helicopter availability.

The increased thermal power, the new design of many of its components enhances its already high performance and ensures that the Arriel remains the most reliable engine in its class. Since 1978, Turbomeca has been producing 10,000 Arriel engines composed today of 29 variants fitted on their corresponding helicopters. The Arriel family flying records total 32 Million flying hours, from Sahara to Antarctica.