Turbomeca and Eurocopter sign deal to power the X4 with the TM800 engine

Turbomeca has signed a contract with Eurocopter which will see the engine manufacturer power Eurocopter's next generation X4 helicopter.

Turbomeca says that TM800 will benefit from technological advances arising from its 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.

Turbomeca says that TM800 will benefit from technological advances arising from its 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,' it said in a statement.

Engine specific fuel consumption will be reduced resulting in improve range and payload as well as a reduced environmental footprint.

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

The TM800 joins Pratt & Whitney Canada's (PW&C) PW210 as an engine option for the X4. PW&C revealed details about the engine's involvement in the X4 project in a press release on 25 April, although Rotorhub.com revealed the news during Heli-Expo in February.


Source: By Tony Osborne in London - Shephard News - 23 July 2012

Photo: The European Eurocopter Next Generation X4 Helicopter. (Photo by Eurocopter )

(23.07.2012)