Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Responding to relentlessly strong demand, Safran Helicopter Engines is seeking to ramp up deliveries of its turboshafts to just above 1,000 units next year. In a briefing with reporters ahead of Heli-Expo 2024, the French company’s CEO, Cédric Goubet, acknowledged this will be a tall order since output was just more than 600 engines last year and it is targeting 900 for 2024.
At the same time, Safran has begun work on a new turboshaft that could eventually replace its Arriel for single-engine helicopters. Goubet said this project is at a very early stage, with engineers still defining what level of technology will be required.
“It’s a versatile project and we can decide when we have reached the right level of maturity in terms of technology and also manufacturability,” he explained. However, Goubet has not confirmed a specific timeline for the program to advance or which airframers have requested this initiative.
As it prepares to deliver around 10,000 helicopter engines over the next decade, Safran is also stepping up its product support capacity. According to Goubet, by next year the support network needs to have the capacity to repair 1,500 engines annually, which would represent a 50 percent increase. Taking account of engines retired from service, Safran expects to have 25,000 helicopter engines in operation by 2033.
As of year-end 2023, Safran’s helicopter engines had logged a combined 150 million flight hours. This tally includes 65 million hours with the Arriel family and 10 million with the Arrius 2 line.
Increasing support capacity will prove challenging as, like so many aerospace manufacturers, Safran continues to face significant supply chain constraints. “We have recovery plans in place with our supplies, but the tension will remain high on the supply chain due to high demand,” said Goubet.
Safran’s response has been to focus on help for suppliers “who are not aware enough or advanced enough” to respond to the shortfalls in the output of parts and components. The company has also found that shortages of some raw materials are compounding the problems.
The company is adding support centers in Hamburg, Germany, and Brazil. Future plans also include a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility at Goa, India, through a partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics. Additionally, Safran is collaborating with MTU to develop a higher-power turbine engine for an as-yet-unspecified application.
<h2>New Technology&nbsp;Chases Fuel Consumption Cuts</h2>
None of this has discouraged Safran from ramping up work in its design offices, with a focus on developing more sustainable rotorcraft engines that deliver a 15 to 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption. In addition to the new engine being developed for civil single-engine helicopters, the company is also adapting the Arrano 1A turboshaft for the military version of the Airbus H160, which could be ready to enter service in 2027.
Safran is closely allied with Airbus Helicopters to advance propulsion technology using its DisruptiveLab and Racer demonstrators. One project involves aerodynamic improvements, combined with a modified thermal engine and a 250-kilowatt electric motor to target a 50 percent cut in fuel burn.
The other could see a pair of Aneto engines running in a so-called "eco mode," in which one engine would run idle in cruise flight to boost energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
The Aneto powers Leonardo’s AW189K helicopter, which entered service last year with an undisclosed Qatar-based operator. Later this year, the aircraft will join the fleet of Omni Helicopters International in Brazil.
Meanwhile, Safran Helicopter Engines has joined forces with sister Electrical &amp; Power division to produce a hybrid-electric powertrain to be used by U.S. startup Electra for its in-development nine-passenger fixed-wing STOL aircraft. This will combine an existing turboshaft unit with Safran’s 600-kilowatt EngineUs motors.

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