Airbus Helicopters selected the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B3 engine to power the H135, the model it is proposing for the US Navy’s helicopter trainer replacement programme.

The 640shp (477kW)-rated turboshaft is manufactured in Longueuil, Quebec. The PW206C powers the Leonardo A109E Power, a lightweight, twin-engined helicopter.

Airbus Helicopters H135

Airbus

The lightweight, twin-engined Airbus Helicopters H135 utility helicopter can also be powered by the Arrius 2B2plus turbine, which is made by Safran Helicopter Engines of France. During a press conference at HAI’s 2019 HeliExpo conference the company declines to say why it chose one manufacturer over another.

“Pratt & Whitney engines power a large portion of the H135 fleet flying in North America, and we feel this choice reinforces the H135 as the best-value solution for the Navy’s initial entry rotary-wing pilot training requirement,” says Chris Emerson, president of the Airbus Helicopters Inc.

Airbus Helicopters’ main competitor for the navy requirement also uses a P&WC engine, with the Leonardo Helicopters TH-119 powered by a single 1,000shp (746kW) PT6B-37A.

This article was updated to correct the aircraft that also use the PW206 turbine

Source: FlightGlobal.com