Turbomeca Readies Launch of Arriel Derivative

Turbomeca is looking toward formal launch within the next few months of a derivative of its Arriel engine. The engine maker has been working since mid-2007 with airframe manufacturers on requirements for a next-generation, 700-1,000-shp-class powerplant, said Aero Engines Vice President Philippe Couteaux. But the effort is aimed most immediately at combatting Honeywell’s effort with Soloy to retrofit Eurocopter AS350s with the LTS101-700D2.The Honeywell-Soloy push has been taking advantage of performance and support problems with the Arriel on the AStar. For related news