Safran’s Arriel 2K Engine Earns EASA Certification

The EASA has certified Safran Helicopter Engines’ Arriel 2K turboshaft, clearing a major milestone for Leonardo’s AW09 light single-engine helicopter ahead of its entry into service.

The Arriel 2K is the newest member of Safran Helicopter Engines’ Arriel family, the world’s most widely used light helicopter engine series with more than 15,500 engines produced and over 66 million flight hours. Developed specifically for Leonardo’s AW09, the 1,000 shp-class turboshaft combines a proven gas generator, dual-channel FADEC and an optimized engine interface to power the next-generation single-engine helicopter.

BORDES, France — Safran Helicopter Engines has received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification for the Arriel 2K turboshaft, the engine selected to power Leonardo’s new AW09 single-engine helicopter.

The certification represents a major milestone toward the entry into service of the AW09. The Arriel 2K completed its first bench tests in 2022 before making its maiden flight aboard the AW09 in March 2023. Since then, the engine has accumulated more than 4,100 hours of testing, including over 600 flight hours. Ground qualification campaigns were conducted at Safran Helicopter Engines’ Bordes facility and at the French DGA test center in Saclay, where the engine successfully completed icing and endurance trials.

Cédric Goubet, CEO of Safran Helicopter Engines, said: "The certification of the Arriel 2K marks another defining step towards the entry into service of the AW09. All the teams at Safran Helicopter Engines are ready to support Leonardo and its customers in bringing this brand-new helicopter into service."

The Arriel 2K is a dedicated variant of the Arriel 2 family in the 1,000 shp power class. It features an engine interface specifically optimized for the AW09 and is built around a proven gas generator incorporating a two-stage compressor consisting of one axial stage and one centrifugal stage. An annular combustion chamber provides efficient fuel combustion, while a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) and an Engine Auxiliary Control Box (EACB) reduce pilot workload and enhance engine management.

Future AW09 operators will benefit from Safran Helicopter Engines’ worldwide support network and comprehensive service portfolio, including advanced digital health monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities designed to maximize engine availability while reducing operating costs.

About Safran Helicopter Engines: Safran Helicopter Engines is the world’s leading manufacturer of helicopter turboshaft engines. Since its foundation, the company has produced more than 75,000 engines and today supports over 2,500 customers in 155 countries with the broadest range of helicopter engines on the market.