Safran and France’s DGA fly NH90 on 100% SAF

Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the French defence procurement agency and Safran have successfully flown a military helicopter with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

The agency worked Safran, TotalEnergies and Airbus Helicopters on the test flight of the NH90. One of the helicopter’s RTM322 ran on 100% SAF from TotalEnergies.

“This is an important step in our roadmap for the large-scale deployment of SAF, which will kick-start a decarbonization process within the armed forces to gradually reduce the use of fossil fuels,” says Christian Caneilles, head of heavy helicopter engines programs, Safran Helicopter Engines.

Safran says this is the first time a military helicopter has flown on 100% SAF without being modified.