TAI Selects LHTEC to power Turkish light utility helicopter

PARIS

CİHAN Photo

The Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company (LHTEC), a 50-50 partnership between Honeywell International Inc. and Rolls-Royce, has been selected by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to provide propulsion engines for the Turkish Light Utility Helicopter (TLUH) program.

TAI and LHTEC officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Paris Air Show and will progress toward further discussions around a contract for CTS800 engines for the aircraft, LHTEC said in a written statement on June 16. 

Under the TLUH Program, TAI will develop an indigenous five-ton, twin-engine utility helicopter, which will initially be certified by EASA, and then converted with mission equipment for Turkish military use. The engine for TLUH will be the same model as those on the current T129 ATAK helicopters, with a commercialized version of the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), according to the statement. 

“The experience behind the LHTEC partnership gives operators confidence in the CTS800 engine and assurance that the support will be there when they need it,” said Daryl Mastin, president of LHTEC. “With over 200,000 flight hours and a growing global fleet, the CTS800 has become the engine of choice in its class, providing operators with exceptionally low fuel burn in a small, lightweight, high-power package. The CTS800 provides low-risk, reliable and cost-effective engine solutions to military helicopter operators worldwide.”

The CTS800 engine currently powers the British Army Lynx Mk9A, the Super Lynx 300 and the AW159 helicopters and was recently selected by the Brazilian Navy for the mid-life upgrade program of its Mk21A Lynx maritime helicopters, according to the statement.