Leonardo and Safran Helicopter Engines are "to further enhance the capabilities and competitiveness of the next generation AW09 single-engine helicopter", the companies announced on January 26
The production aircraft will feature the 1,000 shp class of power Arriel 2K engine, the newest generation of the Arriel family, and will "guarantee the most efficient level of industrialisation, global supply and supportability for customers", they said.
“Since the introduction of the AW09 into our product range, we have firmly maintained our commitment to deliver to the market exactly what it expects from a single engine of the latest standards backed by an efficient and responsive global support network," said Gian Piero Cutillo, managing director of Leonardo Helicopters.
"We are proud that Leonardo has placed its trust once again in Safran Helicopter Engines to power its latest light helicopter. We will bring to the AW09 our strong expertise in single-engine helicopter applications together with the specific features of the engine," said Franck Saudo, chief executive of Safran Helicopter Engines.