Safran Helicopter Engines has received the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification for its new Arriel 2K turboshaft engine, marking a significant milestone in the development of Leonardo’s next-generation AW09 single-engine helicopter and bringing the aircraft closer to entry into commercial service.
The certification follows an extensive development and validation programme that began with the engine’s first bench tests in 2022. The Arriel 2K completed its maiden flight aboard the AW09 in March 2023 and has since accumulated more than 4,100 hours of testing, including over 600 flight hours. The campaign also included endurance and icing tests conducted at Safran Helicopter Engines’ facility in Bordes and the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) test centre in Saclay.
“The certification of the Arriel 2K marks another defining step towards the entry into service of the AW09,” said Cédric Goubet, Chief Executive Officer of Safran Helicopter Engines. “All the teams at Safran Helicopter Engines are ready to support Leonardo and its customers in bringing this brand-new helicopter into service.”
The Arriel 2K is the latest member of Safran’s proven Arriel 2 engine family in the 1,000 shaft horsepower class and has been specifically optimised for integration with the AW09. The engine features a compact, high-efficiency two-stage compressor, an annular combustion chamber for improved fuel efficiency, and a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system with an Engine Auxiliary Control Box (EACB), helping reduce pilot workload while enhancing operational performance.
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From an aftermarket perspective, the certification also strengthens Safran’s support offering for future AW09 operators. The engine will be backed by the company’s global maintenance and support network, including advanced digital services such as engine health monitoring and predictive maintenance solutions designed to maximise aircraft availability while reducing maintenance costs and unscheduled downtime.
For the MRO industry, the integration of digital health monitoring capabilities from entry into service reflects the growing shift toward predictive maintenance and data-driven fleet management, enabling operators to improve reliability and optimise lifecycle operating costs.
The Arriel engine family remains one of the most successful helicopter propulsion platforms in service today. With more than 15,500 engines produced, powering over 40 helicopter types, and accumulating more than 66 million flight hours, the Arriel family has established a strong reputation for reliability, durability and operational efficiency across civil and parapublic helicopter operations.
The certification of the Arriel 2K not only clears a major regulatory hurdle for the AW09 programme but also reinforces Safran Helicopter Engines’ commitment to delivering next-generation propulsion systems supported by advanced maintenance solutions for the evolving helicopter market.
