Turbomeca committed to heavy helicopter engine innovations

Turbomeca (Safran) is investigating new ground breaking technologies to address the need for greater performance and reduced environmental footprint of new-generation heavy rotorcraft.

The TECH3000 demonstrator is a key technological basis of a new family of engines in the 3,000 shp range. It will enable Turbomeca to validate the design and core performances of such new high power engines, aimed at the heavy helicopter market.

Since the beginning of 2015, Turbomeca has been running extensive tests on TECH3000 components and modules. Key technologies of the compressor have already been validated and tests of combustion chamber and turbine are underway. Engine tests integrating these new technologies will start at the end of 2015.

The TECH3000 and its serial derivatives will deliver a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the state-of-the-art engines available today on the market in this segment.

With these technological achievements in design, as well as those related to innovative manufacturing processes and services, Turbomeca is positioning itself as a major player in the ten ton-plus heavy helicopter market.