Paris, France - June 17, 2013 - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), and Turbomeca, a Safran company (NYSE Euronext Paris : SAF), announced today Bell Helicopter's new five seat, short light single engine helicopter will be powered by Turbomeca's Arrius 2R engine.
The Arrius 2R engine delivers performance and power within the 450-550 shaft horsepower class, while improving safety and lowering pilot workload via a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). The twin-module engine configuration is designed to reduce fuel consumption and lower the cost of operation. The Arrius 2R boasts proven reliability and 3,000 hours time between overhaul at service entry as well as Turbomeca’s service and support excellence.
"We are thrilled to be working with Turbomeca, the world's largest solely-dedicated helicopter engine manufacturer. As we worked with our customer advisory council to define requirements for the short light single aircraft, we knew we needed a team member that could deliver an effective and reliable engine to power their needs," said John Garrison, president and CEO of Bell Helicopter.
Olivier Andriès, Chairman & CEO at Turbomeca, said, "This is the very first time in 75 years of commitment to the helicopter industry that Turbomeca has entered a long-term collaboration with Bell Helicopter; a company with the highest reputation for product quality and support. We are very proud to offer the newest member of our Arrius family, the Arrius 2R, to power Bell’s new Short Light Single Engine Aircraft. The entire Turbomeca team will strive to earn the confidence both of Bell and its worldwide customers".
Since 1981, more than 3,000 Arrius engines have been sold by Turbomeca, accumulating over six million flight hours for 430 customers in 60 countries.
Bell Helicopter's new design meets key requirements identified by customers regarding safety, performance, utility and value. Bell Helicopter's new short light single engine aircraft is designed to offer exceptional performance in terms of speed, range and payload while meeting stage 4 noise requirements.
About Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.
About Turbomeca
Turbomeca (Safran) is the leading helicopter engine manufacturer, and has produced 70,000 turbines based on its own designs since the company was founded. Offering the widest range of engines in the world and dedicated to 2,500 customers in 155 countries, Turbomeca provides a proximity service thanks to its 17 sites, 30 Certified Maintenance Centers, 18 Repair & Overhaul Centers, and 90 Field representatives and Field technicians. Microturbo, the subsidiary of Turbomeca, is the European leader in turbojet engines for missiles, drones and auxiliary power units. For more information: www.turbomeca.com and www.safran-group.com.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; the timing of our new product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; performance issues with key suppliers or subcontractors; difficult conditions in the financial markets which may adversely impact our customers’ ability to fund or finance purchases of our products; and continued demand softness or volatility in the markets in which we do business.
Contact
SUSAN GORDON
Bell Helicopter
817-280-3100
mediarelations@bh.com
Online Media Kit
BETTINA FREY
Turbomeca
Tel. +33(0)5 59 90 96 23
Mob +33(0)6 70 01 50 53
bettina.frey@turbomeca.fr