Warning This site is not recommended for Internet Explorer browsers. Please use another web browser to get a better experience.

Helicopter Engines
Press release

Delivery of the 1,000th Arrius 2B2, the benchmark for the light-medium rotorcraft

 

When it comes to critical helicopter missions like search and rescue, emergency medical transport or police patrol, a safe and reliable engine is a must-have. Reduced operating and maintenance costs should also be a given.

That is where the Arrius 2B2 sets the standard for the light-medium helicopter. Safran Helicopter Engines has recently delivered the 1000th 2B2 to Airbus Helicopters to power its best-selling H135.

 

 

Over the past 20 years, Safran has been continuously improving its Arrius product and, in 2014, the latest 2B2Plus variant entered service with Aiut Alpin Dolomites, a mountain rescue operator used to flying in very demanding environments.

The 2B2 has become increasingly popular among such operators. In 2015, the Norwegian Air Ambulance changed over to this engine for its new H135 fleet. DRF Luftrettung selected it to power three new H135 and, in July 2016, the 2B2Plus won the endorsement of the UK MoD, who selected it to power a new training fleet of H135s.

Today, with around 70 % of the market, the Arrius 2B2Plus is the preferred engine solution for the H135 and Safran is determined to maintain this leadership.

The 2B2Plus owes its success to superior performance, reliability and low maintenance costs. It is the most powerful engine available for the H135. Compared to the previous model it delivers 6% more power at take-off and in hot-and-high conditions. It is a major contributor to the type’s increased payload.

 

 

Safran continuously works to make its engines more robust and easy-to-use. The 2B2Plus has 10 % lower operating costs than the Arrius 2B2. According to Conklin & de Decker (Conklin & de Decker, Life Cycle Cost 2016, Volume 2), it also has 20 % lower direct maintenance costs than the competition.

The engine has one of the highest TBO (Time Between Overhaul) in its class (4,000 hours) and is certified with and without an inlet barrier filter. This means the 2B2Plus-powered H135 loses no engine power and the operator avoids filter acquisition and maintenance costs.

Today, more than 500 H135 are powered by Safran. Each day, Arrius 2B1, 2B2 and 2B2Plus engines contribute to critical missions that save life and deliver aid. Other major operators include Germany’s ÖAMTC, France’s Gendarmerie Nationale and Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Robust, reliable and powerful, the Arrius 2B2Plus is the right solution for light and medium helicopters flying in the toughest conditions.

 

  • 600 to 820 shp
  • Best-in-class OEI performance
  • Robust and simple
  • Dual-channel FADEC reduces pilot workload
  • Low direct maintenance and operating costs
  • Preferred engine solution for the EMS and parapublic operator

Contact(s)

  • © Free-Lance's / Safran