Story ID: 363 Safran
Safran Moving Ahead with Larger Engine Program
By: Mark Huber
Caption: Safran's engines powered helicopters for five first flights last year, although deliveries were flat and support revenues dropped.
Word Count: 534
Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Bruno Even called 2016 "a challenging year," with flat deliveries and customers flying significantly fewer hours, putting a big dent in support revenues. But there were also bright spots that included the formal announcement of a new larger-engine program and several first flights.

"In 2016 we achieved great commercial success with five first flights," Even noted. These include the Airbus H160 flying for the first time with Arrano engines; first flight of the Russian Helicopters Kamov Ka-62 on April 28 powered by Ardiden 3Gs; the July 27 first of Avic’s AC312e in China with the Arriel 2E; India’s first flight of the single engine HAL light utility on September 16 with the Shakti 1U (Ardiden 1H); and at the end of December, first flight of the Chinese Avicopter AC352, powered by the WZ16.

The WZ16 engine is the Chinese variant of the Safran Ardiden 3C, and it was co-designed and co-produced with Safran’s Chinese partner, which includes CAPI and Dongan, parts of the new Aero Engine Corporation of China consortium. Safran said the new-generation 1,500- to 2,000-shp turboshaft features compact modular architecture, a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio, low cost of ownership and 10 percent lower fuel consumption than competitive engines.

"On the Airbus H135, a helicopter in which we are in engine competition, we finished the year with 74 percent market share," Even said.

"We think the market will be flat in 2017,” he said, “and our new engine programs will remain stable. We are committed to certifying the Arrano by the end of 2018, and continue to mature the engine in both ground and flight tests. We continue our partnerships in the developing countries and in the long-term we believe that the growth in the helicopter market will come from countries including India and China. We are already in strong positions in these countries with our strategic partnerships. We are continuing with the certification of the Ardiden for our Indian and Chinese partners."

Safran formally took the wraps off its long-anticipated new engine program last year. Even said that work continues on developing a new powerplant based on the previously disclosed Tech 3000 program in the output range of 2,500 shp, to be ready by 2020, and a higher powered 3,000-shp variant to be ready by 2025.

Currently Safran's 2,100-shp Makila 2A1, which powers the Airbus H225, is the company's most powerful engine. The new engines are expected to provide competition to GE’s CT7 series, which are aimed at the super-midsize and large helicopter markets, including the still under wraps Airbus X6. Even said the company's goal is to be able to offer a full range of powerplant choices between 500 and 3,000 shp.

For Safran, Even said, innovation not only means providing more powerful new engines, but also engines that are demonstrably more efficient that the competition's, perhaps by as much as 18 percent. And that means "finding a way to optimize the fuel consumption in all phases of cruise conditions," he said.

Even said he was gratified by the company's high ranking in customer satisfaction and support surveys and that Safran plans to continue investing in maintaining and improving customer service.