Airbus Helicopters selects the Turbomeca ARRANO for X4

Airbus Helicopters president Guillaume Faury at Press Greeting in Paris (Credit: Terry Spruce)

Airbus Helicopters launched the X4 initial design concept around two turboshaft engines options: Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW210E and Turbomeca’s ARRANO.

Although Airbus Helicopters and Pratt & Whitney Canada have decided not to pursue a growth version of the PW210E engine for the X4 programme, Pratt & Whitney Canada will continue to provide support until completion of the initial phase.

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Airbus Helicopters values Pratt & Whitney Canada as a strong partner on the existing EC135 and EC175 platforms and is collaborating with P&WC on new opportunities including the PW210.

The X4 programme will therefore enter into the full-scale development with a new uprated Turbomeca ARRANO engine. The X4 is now known as the Airbus Helicopters H160.

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The X4 will be presented to the public during a special ceremony at Heli-Expo 2015 in Orlando, Florida.