Turbomeca (Safran group) announces the signing of a contract with Eurocopter to power the X4 new generation helicopter with the TM800 turbo-shaft engine.

The Eurocopter X4 is a new generation 5 to 6-tonne helicopter. The future aircraft will be equipped with a new engine: the TM800 of Turbomeca, a turbo-shaft in the 1,100 shp (800 kW) category.

TM800 will benefit from technological advances arising from Turbomeca's R&T strategy. On the one hand, TM800 engine incorporates the results of several upstream research projects, including some technologies validated by the Tech 800 demonstrator. On the other hand, it takes advantage of operational experience feedback from the full Turbomeca engine range.

The benefits of this new engine consist notably in significantly reducing the specific consumption with respect to the generation currently in service. This will contribute to improve performance (range, payload) and reduce the environmental footprint. The cost of ownership will be reduced through its optimized maintenance concept on providing a significant reduction in maintenance activity on the operator's premises.

The engine development and the certification plan are in line with the entry into service of the initial version of the helicopter in 2017.