Airbus Helicopters decided to concentrate on the ARRANO engine type from Turbomeca for its X4 helicopter program, dropping Pratt & Whitney Canada, the company said on Feb. 18.
Airbus originally launched the X4 concept around two engine options – Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW210E and Turbomeca’s ARRANO.
The decision was based on the results of a comprehensive market assessment which suggested a significant engine power increase was necessary, Airbus said.
The X4 will next enter into full-scale development with an uprated ARRANO engine.
The X4 is Airbus Helicopter’s new generation medium twin-engine helicopter mean to replace the EC155/Dauphin. It will be tailored for applications including oil and gas operations, emergency medical services, public services, business, and private aviation, Airbus said.
The helicopter is planned to be first presented to the public at HAI in March 2015.
Pratt & Whitney Canada is a unit of United Technologies Corp. [UTX].