explored 90 percent of the flight envelope. compound concept. While More than 10 percent of the total flight- usually fly at 140 to 150 knots test hours have been logged in the last 11 in cruise, the X3 concept is aimed at prov- months. Plans currently call for certifica- ing that 220 knots is a sweet spot where tion in 2016. Earlier this year the Italian speed is profitable. A demonstrator has company announced that it had selected completed two flight-test phases, reach- Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avion- ing a maximum speed of 232 knots. ics for the production aircraft. Announced aircraft performance includes a maxi- X4 OEMs tap lucrative oil and gas segment mum forward speed of 275 knots, a ceil- ing of 25,000 feet, a hover out of ground Bell 525 The X4 medium twin, to replace the by Thierry Dubois and Mark Huber MARIANO ROSALES effect of 5,000 feet, hover in ground effect AS365/EC155 Dauphin series, will be While the U.S. Congress has averted mandatory budget program from Bell in 2011. Bell is developing the super- of 10,000 feet, and a useful load of 2,500 to 2014. AIN understands the first AC352 deliver 21 percent more takeoff power. released in two versions. The first, less sequestration until March, including anticipated defense spend- medium 525 twin, Eurocopter is looking at refreshing virtu- pounds. Short-takeoff capability will be prototype is in final assembly. Turbomeca will also offer a “special advanced one, will enter service in 2017. ing cuts, Pentagon watchers have been predicting a new aus- ally its entire product line, and Sikorsky is giving hints of new added to the certification basis to increase 30-minute power rating for occasional In 2020, the second iteration of the X4 terity one way or the other for months. The impact all this will civil products in the offing. The common denominator to most the helicopter’s maximum gross weight on BELL use.” The Arriel 2E is equipped with will feature fly-by-wire controls. have on new helicopter development programs remains to be of these new programs is the burgeoning deepwater oil explo- departure from 16,800 pounds to 18,000 Fadec and offers a higher TBO. The X4 will compete in the 9,000- to seen. OEMs contacted for this report by AIN declined to com- ration industry and its need for larger, more efficient helicop- pounds. That extra weight could be used 525 Relentless In addition, the EC145T2 features 12,000-pound category. On the main to carry more fuel and increase the range a fenestron shrouded tail rotor. In the rotor, double-swept blades will cut noise. ment on the impact of the so-called “fiscal cliff” and its after- ters with more range. AgustaWestland AW189 math on current or future military helicopter programs. But Aside from Robinson, which is currently producing its R66 of the 609 beyond the current 700 nm. Bell announced its most ambitious civil cockpit, pilots will find Eurocopter’s new The X4’s system architecture will be AgustaWestland is currently promoting helicopter program at Heli-Expo 2012 and house-developed Helionix avionics suite. “more electric,” meaning a number of some analysts are already forecasting that the military will opt turbine single at a rate of five per week, established OEMs provisioned troops or seat 18 passengers, four interior configurations for the aircraft, has begun assembly of the first prototype A four-axis will be standard. hydraulic or bleed-air systems will be to go with updates of existing helicopters for a variety of roles, have all but ceded the introductory single turbine market, with cruise at 150 knots and have a maximum including a standard two-pilot, nine-pas- for first flight in 2014. With an mtow of replaced with electric ones. including aerial scout and search-and-rescue. If this comes to AgustaWestland, Bell, Eurocopter and MD all offering updated range of 635 nm. It has a full glass-panel senger layout; a six- to seven-passen- more than 18,000 pounds, the 525 Relent- Turbomeca and Eurocopter signed a pass it could dampen expectations that new technology, includ- and more expensive variants of their legacy singles with prices EC175 avionics system that is NVG compatible, ger executive cabin; a two-litter medevac less will have an expected range of more contract in July for the former company ing that for compound helicopters, would eventually find its way now well above $2 million and in some cases exceeding $4 mil- a four-axis autopilot and can be ordered interior; a search-and-rescue design that than 400 nm, cruise speed near 150 knots Eurocopter has postponed certifica- to supply 1,100-shp TM800 engines. The into the civil sector. The same pressures apply to military spend- lion. The market for those helicopters is likely to see an uptick with optional rotor ice protection. includes hoist, basket, litter and four sin- and a ceiling of 20,000 feet, aiming it tion of the EC175 medium twin to this other engine option for customers is the ing throughout Europe and parts of Asia. as helicopter EMS providers move into more singles with more In 2011 AgustaWestland announced gle seats; and a patrol/surveillance variant. squarely at the oil-and-gas market. Certi- summer, citing longer-than-expected Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210. New civil programs such as the AW609, Bell 525 and EC175 modern equipment to preserve margins. In December, Air Meth- its intention to offer a civilian variant of fication is expected in late 2014 or 2015. It development of the Helionix avionics rely heavily on technology originally developed for the military, ods, the largest provider in the U.S., ordered 42 new helicopters, the AW149, the AW189, aimed mostly at will be powered by a pair of GE CT7-2F1 system. Deliveries will start in Septem- EC130T2 and shifting all related R&D expense onto the private sector all but six of them singles. the lucrative offshore oil and gas industry. AVICOPTER (1,800 shp each) driving an all- ber instead of “late in 2012,” as initially could inhibit development of future new helicopters. In the U.S., One more factor could drive demand for singles for local Five prototypes of that aircraft are cur- AC311 composite five-blade main rotor system planned. The first production EC175 flew Last year Eurocopter delivered the senior DoD officials are concerned that the current dynamics and state law enforcement in the U.S. Traditionally, 25 percent rently flying, including one in the United and a four-blade tail rotor. The aircraft will last December in Marignane, France. first EC130T2, an upgraded version of will erode industry’s ability to design future military helicop- of those helicopters have been obtained under military surplus States, currently in Alaska for cold- The CAAC certified the Avicop- incorporate a triple-redundant fly-by-wire Performance numbers have improved the EC130B4 large-cabin single. Intro- ters. Late last year Defense Undersecretary Frank Kendall told programs. Currently, that amounts to 552 helicopters; however, weather testing. The AW189 is being mar- ter AC311 Air Sprite light single last flight control system with a BAE flight and Eurocopter now expects a cruise duced at Heli-Expo 2012, the EC130T2 a Credit Suisse investor conference that it was likely the Pen- that pipeline is drying up, according to a spokesman for the keted as a lower-cost alternative to the June. Among the performance numbers computer incorporating lessons learned on speed of 150 knots–10 knots faster than features a more powerful Arriel 2D, tagon would launch an initiative to fund research into the next Defense Department’s Law Enforcement Support Office, and Sikorsky S-92A and Eurocopter EC225. released by Avicopter are a cruise speed the Bell/Boeing V-22 and AW609 (formerly the previous published number–“without enabling a 3,300-pound sling load. Other generation of military helicopters to preserve, albeit on a small the number has been steadily declining in recent years from 47 With 12 passengers, the AW189 has the of 131 knots, endurance of four hours Bell/ BA609) tiltrotors. The 525 will affecting payload-range.” improvements include more robust doors scale, contractor design capabilities. in 2010 to just eight last year. range to reach and return from platforms and maximum range of 335 nm. The feature the Garmin G5000H touchscreen- Customers can choose between vari- and air conditioning. The price increase The OEMs clearly are not waiting for the proverbial other Updates and improvements to legacy products are significant as far as 200 nm offshore. AgustaWestland aircraft has an mtow of 4,850 pounds. controlled glass panel integrated avionics ous seating/radius of action combinations, over the B4 is said to be 4 percent. shoe to drop. AgustaWestland is developing two new twins and as OEMs continue to find ways to cut weight, maintenance costs is offering the AW189 in offshore, VIP, Capable of carrying six people or 2,000 suite with four main displays and Telli- such as 12 passengers/190 nm or 18 pas- purchased the remaining share of the AW609 civil tiltrotor and noise while improving performance and operating efficiency. maritime search-and-rescue and para- pounds, it can be powered by either a gence voice-command capabilities, two key sengers/100 nm. Mtow stands at 16,535 public variants. The helicopter made its Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 (the engine components of Bell’s new ARC (aware- pounds. The EC175 is powered by a pair first flight on Dec. 21, 2011. The AW189 used thus far) or a WZ8D, a license-pro- ness, react and control) cockpit. of 1,775-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada the program early this year. Certification AW149/189 is expected to be certified in this year’s duced Turbomeca Arriel. The new heli- The ergonomic cockpit features pilot PT6C-67E turboshafts. The program is a AGUSTAWESTLAND is estimated in 2014. The $10- to $12 mil- second half with a variety of options and copter is also said to feature “highly seats that J-track, pushing back and swiv- 50-50 joint effort with China’s Avicopter. lion AW169 is intended to compete with AgustaWestland announced the kits, with the eventual goal of approval integrated” avionics. eling outward, for ease of egress. Right- AW119Kx the S-76D and uses a variant of the same AW149 program in 2006 and the 8.6-ton for single-pilot IFR. AgustaWestland hand, fly-by-wire side sticks replace the X6 Fadec-controlled Pratt & Whitney Can- helicopter made its first flight in 2009. continues to promote the AW149, but has AC313 conventional cyclics. The 525’s tail boom AgustaWestland is going to glass in the ada PW210 series engines (1,000 shp each) Based on the successful AW139 medium yet to find a launch customer. has been designed to provide less resis- Under the codename X6, Eurocopter AW119 single. Last October the company that power the Sikorsky. The AW169 fea- twin, the 149 is a military variant that is 12 It emerged last year that the CAAC tance and more lift for a higher-altitude is about to officially launch a replace- unveiled the AW119Kx, which features the tures a digital, large three-screen glass- feet longer, four feet taller, 5,000 pounds certified the Avicopter AC313 heavy twin out-of-ground effect hover ceiling than ment for the AS332/EC225 Super Puma Eurocopter AW609 civil tiltrotor EC130T2 Garmin G1000H integrated flight deck panel avionics system that includes dual heavier (mtow), has a slightly larger main in December 2011. Avicopter said cer- conventional designs. Bell claims the medium twin, according to French finance with synthetic vision, moving map and FMS, a 222-cu-ft flat-floor cabin, a 45-cu- rotor disk and a pair of more powerful, AgustaWestland acquired the portion tification includes category A takeoff boom’s aerodynamic shape will allow 88 newsletter Sud Infos. The Marignane, highway-in-the-sky and obstacle/terrain ft baggage hold, low noise signature, and Fadec-controlled GE CT7-2E1 turbo- of the 609 program it did not already own . and landing capability at altitudes up to more horsepower to be directed to the France-based manufacturer is reportedly . avoidance systems. Certification is sched- is expected to offer good high/hot per- shafts (2,000 shp each) that give the heli- from Bell in 2011, effectively dissolving 14,700 feet. The AC313 can carry up to main rotors, compared with conventional targeting 2020 for entry into service. MARENCO uled for early this year. The G1000H in the formance. The cabin is large enough to copter good high/hot performance and the joint venture known as the Bell Agusta 27 people and is based on the 1970s Aéro- designs, by capitalizing on main-rotor One version of the X6 could be the Skye SH-09 AW119Kx features two 10.4-inch LCD accommodate transverse-loaded stretch- satisfy the 6,000-foot, 95-degree F OGE Aircraft Company that had been jointly spatiale SA321 Super Frelon. The AC313 downwash to assist with anti-torque first application of the X3 (“x cube”) screens to provide both primary flight dis- ers. AgustaWestland plans to offer search- standard. The air-conditioned 409-cu- developing the aircraft since 1996. The tips the scales at 27,600 pounds and has a duties. The five-blade main rotor is a com- In Switzerland, would-be helicopter play and multifunction display informa- and-rescue, EMS, offshore and corporate ft cabin is 25 percent larger than that of 609 program is currently headquartered at www.ainonline.com maximum ferry range of 486 nm. mercial first for Bell, but its design is con- manufacturer Marenco Swisshelicop- www.ainonline.com tion. The new avionics are also equipped variants and anticipates a market for the AW139 and the baggage hold offers a new AgustaWestland facility in Arling- ventional. Entry to the 525’s 4.5-foot-tall ter has postponed the maiden flight of for diagnostics and data analysis for main- 1,000 AW169s over the next 25 years. 71 cu ft. The AW149 will hold 12 fully ton, Texas, across the field from its pre- cabin is through a pair of hinged doors the first prototype of its Skye SH09 light tenance purposes. The AW119Kx EMS vious home at Bell’s XworX, and initially located between the cockpit and the first single. Initially planned by the end of helicopter configuration will include night the aircraft will be certified by the FAA in row of four seating areas or through a 2012, the inaugural sortie is anticipated vision imaging system lighting and opera- the under Parts 25, 29 and a pair of large aft sliding doors. Each seat- in this year’s first half as the company tion of night-vision goggles. new category called powered lift. Approx- ing area offers four-abreast seating for a plans to build a conforming prototype imately 120 employees are working on the total of 16 passengers. rather than an experimental aircraft. AW169 program in Arlington and another 120 at Avicopter AC313 The first prototype will be powered by AgustaWestland’s plant in Cascina Costa, a Honeywell HTS900 . EASA AgustaWestland announced the , where a third prototype is under EUROCOPTER certification is targeted late in 2014. 4.5-ton-class AW169 medium twin in construction. Bell is continuing to pro- AC352 EC145T2 The 5,500-pound-class SH09 will 2010. The eight- to 10-passenger heli- vide engineering support for the moment seat five to eight passengers. It will fea- copter is being designed for single-pilot and will manufacture the rotor blades and Avicopter has released little informa- The Eurocopter EC145T2 light twin ture a shrouded tail rotor, a flat-floor IFR operations and made its first flight yokes for the 609. The two current proto- tion on the Chinese variant of the EC175. represents a major upgrade from the cabin and clamshell doors. It targets a in May last year. Two more prototypes type aircraft, one based in Arlington and It is to be powered by Turbomeca/Avic EC145. It is slated for FAA certification max cruise speed of 145 knots. Maxi- are flying and have accumulated more the other at Cascina Costa, have accumu- Engine Dongan Ardiden 3C/WZ16 tur- and first delivery this year. Two Arriel mum range will be 430 nm. AgustaWestland AW169 Eurocopter EC175 than 100 hours aloft. A fourth will join lated 750 flight-test hours since 2003 and © 2013 AIN Publications. All Rights Reserved. For Reprints go to boshafts. Certification has been delayed 2E turboshafts, at 894 shp each, will Continues on next page u © 2013 AIN Publications. All Rights Reserved. For Reprints go to

46 Aviation International News • February 2013 • www.ainonline.com www.ainonline.com • February 2013 • Aviation International News 47 uContinued from preceding page

MD Sikorsky S-76D 540F Redeveloped Ansat MD Helicopters announced plans Russian Helicopters announced last last year to offer a six-blade variant of spring that it is redeveloping the Kazan its MD530F single with a more powerful Ansat light twin with conventional Fadec Rolls-Royce 250-C30HU turboshaft flight controls in place of the fly-by- and more robust . The new wire (FBW) system it has been flying helicopter would be available for both the with thus far. Kazan Helicopters has commercial and military markets–the latter started a test program with two proto- as a scout/gunship–and will include a full types fitted with a hydro-mechanical suite of Elbit glass panel avionics. Prelim- flight control system. The manufacturer inary specifications call for the MD540F has filed an application with the Inter- to have a maximum external gross weight state Aviation Committee’s Air Registry main rotor. -based Zoerkler sup- Russian Helicopters/ of 4,100 pounds, a useful load of 2,000 for additional type certification. plies the rotor gearboxes. The Transas AgustaWestland light single pounds, hover in ground effect at 16,000 The FBW control system that equips KBO-62 avionics suite includes a health feet and out of ground effect at 14,300 feet, the original Ansat met “an unexpected and usage monitoring system (Hums). AgustaWestland and Russian Helicop- a Vne of 152 knots, a range of 232 nm and obstacle, as no FBW civil helicopter had The Ka-62’s mtow is 14,300 pounds, ters signed a “preliminary agreement” last a service ceiling of 20,000 feet. Certification been certified before and no standard for a maximum payload of 5,290 pounds. year to jointly develop a new 2.5-metric- is expected in this year’s first quarter. requirements existed,” Russian Helicop- Maximum range is said to be 405 nm. ton class (5,500 pound) single-engine heli- ters said. ’s defense ministry cur- The Ka-62’s maximum cruising speed is copter. The program will be shared 50-50. QUEST rently uses the FBW variant of the Pratt 157 knots. The Ka-62 is a redevelopment The aircraft will be smaller, and thus & Whitney Canada PW207K-powered from a 1980s design. less expensive, than the existing AW119 AVQ aircraft for pilot training. Ke Koala single and compete with the Kamov Ka-226T Eurocopter EC130T2. Dubai-based Quest Helicopters has Kamov Ka-226TG postponed first flight of its AVQ light twin SIKORSKY by half a year, to “August or September” Although the Kamov Ka-226T single of this year. A prototype four-seater is is still in development, Russian Helicop- S-76D said to be almost ready to fly, although the ters is already working on the Ka-226TG, company would not provide any photo. a “modernized” version to “meet the The FAA certified the Sikorsky S-76D Unveiled in November 2011, the AVQ client’s needs for operations in the Far medium twin, launched in 2005, on Octo- has two counter-rotating rotors in tandem North and on the Arctic shelf.” It will fea- ber 12 last year. configuration and an ejection capsule for ture a KBO-226T avionics suite for low- The new version features major changes the occupants. Another feature is fly-by- visibility operations, and additional fuel such as a digital four-axis autopilot and a wire controls. Quest Helicopters wants to tanks will boost range. Thales TopDeck avionics suite. The dual- have the AVQ certified in Ukraine, where The coaxial-main-rotor Ka-226T/TG speed main rotor provides a quiet mode. A it is being designed, before involving the uses Turbomeca’s 730-shp Arrius 2G1 still-to-be-certified rotor de-icing system for EASA. The four-seater could be produced turboshaft, which is already certified. It all-weather capability will be available as in “limited” quantities (if any) in a factory has an mtow of nearly 8,000 pounds, a an option. Each PW210S engine provides to be built in the . maximum payload of 2,860 pounds and a Mil Mi-38 1,077 shp at takeoff and offers 8-percent Quest designers have now turned their maximum speed of 135 knots. It can carry better fuel efficiency than its predecessor attention to a 10-15 seater, which they up to seven passengers. The service ceiling There is little indication that devel- powerplant, according to Pratt & Whitney believe will appeal to a broader market. is 24,000 feet. Russian Helicopters plans opment of the Mi-38 heavy twin is con- Canada. The 11,700-pound S-76D has a It would have tandem rotors but neither to deliver the first Ka-226TG this year. tinuing. Russian Helicopters resumed the range (without reserves) of 442 nm. fly-by-wire controls nor the escape pod. program in late 2010 and with the goal Kamov Ka-62 of certification in 2014. The aircraft is S-434 Quest AVQ pitched at civil markets such as aerial Russian Helicopters plans to fly the work, executive transportation and off- Sikorsky did not respond to AIN’s Ka-62 medium twin in August. Russian shore operations. repeated requests for fresh information certification of the 12- to 15-passenger One prototype, OP-1, is powered by a on the S-434 light single. Certification has helicopter is planned for the fourth quarter pair of Klimov TV7-117V engines (2,500 been postponed several times. of 2014, with deliveries beginning in 2015. shp each). The other one, OP-2, is fitted An improved Schweizer S-333, the Offshore oil and gas passenger trans- with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127/TS S-434 sports a four-blade rotor, a new . portation is seen as a major application. engines of equivalent power. Transas pro- tail-rotor blade design, a structurally Other roles include EMS, search-and- vides IBKV-38 avionics. enhanced landing gear, a new trim system rescue, law enforcement, border patrol, The 34,400-pound-mtow Mi-38 has and an improved Kaflex driveshaft. The

DAVID McINTOSH DAVID training and executive transport. seating capacity for 30; maximum sling main rotor and its come

Turbomeca is powering the aircraft load is estimated at 15,400 pounds. Opera- from the unmanned Fire Scout. www.ainonline.com ROBINSON with two Ardiden 3G turboshafts of 1,680 tional range is published as 480 nm. Service The S-434 and the S-333 use the same shp each. Also new, among other improved ceiling is said to be 16,700 feet, and cruise Rolls-Royce 250-C20W turboshaft, which R66 Police structures and systems, is the five-blade speed is expected to be close to 150 knots. provides 320 shp. The new main rotor allows the mtow to increase by 300 pounds, The police variant of Robinson’s R66 to a maximum of 2,850 pounds. This turbine single was certified in Septem- translates into a useful load of “more than ber last year, and the company plans 1,400 pounds.” The new tail rotor can gen- to release an electronic news gathering erate some 20 percent more thrust than the variant later this year. The $1.104 mil- tail rotor on an S-333, improving handling lion police model comes standard with and controllability, despite the increased Flir camera, fold-down color monitor, weight, according to Sikorsky. o searchlight and dual audio controller. Many additional options are available. The R66 police has a maximum cruise speed of 120 knots, a full-fuel payload of 800 pounds and a hover ceiling OGE at max weight of 10,000 feet. Robinson R66 Police © 2013 AIN Publications. All Rights Reserved. For Reprints go to

48 Aviation International News • February 2013 • www.ainonline.com