Safran Arriel 2K

The Arriel 2K is the newest evolution in the legendary Arriel turboshaft family, which first ran in 1973 and has since accumulated more than 65 million flight hours. As the latest member of the Arriel 2 line, the 2K was selected in 2023 to power the Leonardo AW09 next-generation light helicopter, marking the transition from earlier prototype engines to a fully production-ready solution.

The engine reflects decades of technological refinement, evolving from the mechanical controls of the original Arriel 1 to today’s advanced digital systems. It features a dual-channel FADEC that reduces pilot workload and optimizes fuel consumption, along with a three-channel architecture that adds an extra backup channel for automatic control, prioritizing safety in demanding missions such as EMS and search-and-rescue. The Arriel 2K also builds on the proven Arriel 2 architecture, incorporating innovations like single-crystal blades in the high-pressure turbine, delivering significantly higher performance than earlier generations.

In terms of specifications, the Arriel 2K sits in the ~1,000 shaft horsepower class and uses a compressor combining one axial and one centrifugal stage. It features an annular combustion chamber for efficient and clean fuel burn and is fully compatible with Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). Its primary application is as the powerplant of the Leonardo AW09, where it supports modern performance, efficiency, and environmental standards.