Safran Arriel 2K engine receives EASA certification

Safran's Arriel 2K engine has received type certification from EASA. 

The Safran Arriel 2K engine that powers the Leonardo AW09 helicopter has received its type certificate from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). 

This is a milestone towards the entry into service of the AW09, Leonardo’s new single-engine helicopter, according to the manufacturer.

The Arriel 2K underwent its first bench tests in 2022 and made its maiden flight on the AW09 in March 2023.  Since then, it has accumulated more than 4,100 hours of testing, including over 600 hours in flight. Ground tests were carried out at the Safran Helicopter Engines site in Bordes, France as well as at the DGA testing centre in Saclay, near Paris.

“The certification of the Arriel 2K marks another defining step towards the entry into service of the AW09. All the teams at Safran Helicopter Engines are ready to support Leonardo and its customers in bringing this brand-new helicopter into service,” said Cédric Goubet, CEO, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO.

The Arriel 2K is a new variant of the Arriel 2 range of engines in the 1,000 shp power class. 

The Arriel 2K is equipped with a dual-channel FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) and an EACB (Engine Auxiliary Control Box), which reduces the pilot’s workload.

Meanwhile, in May Safran revealed it had begun production at its new manufacturing facility in northern Germany.