BORDES, France --- Following the selection by the Australian Department of Defence of the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca (RRTM) RTM322 engine to power an additional fleet of 34 twin-engine MRH90 multi-role helicopters, RRTM and Turbomeca Australasia signed a production contract for the assembly and test of the 92 installed engines , plus spare engines, to be produced until 2013.
Australia originally selected the RTM322-01/9 to power an initial batch of 12 aircraft in May 2005, following a comprehensive technical evaluation.
Rolls-Royce Turbomeca’s market share on the NH90 programme represents over 90%.
Australia became the tenth NH90 customer to select the RTM322, joining the family of RTM322 NH90 users whose countries consist today of France, Germany, The Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Greece, Oman – then Australia.
Emeric d'Arcimoles, Chairman of RRTM and Chairman and CEO of Turbomeca, said: “New engines will be assembled and tested at the facilities of RRTM partner company Turbomeca Australasia. RRTM will also undertake the engine repair activity at Turbomeca Australasia.”
Turbomeca Australasia Pty Limited was created in 1994 to promote and support the Turbomeca engines in Australasia. Turbomeca Australasia’s counts 89 employees, which establishes Turbomeca Australasia as a major Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Centre in the Asia Pacific Region.
Besides RTM 322 activity, Turbomeca Australasia is already established as an Arriel maintenance, repair and overhaul facility, MTR390 assembly and test for australian ARH Tiger and Microturbo Saphir APUs for RAAF Hawk fleet.
The RTM322 has also been selected for over 60 per cent of EH101 orders, the latest customer being the Japan Defense Agency.
Approximately 1,600 RTM322 engines, including orders and options, have been announced for NH90, WAH-64 Apache and EH101 helicopters.
Turbomeca (SAFRAN Group) is the leading helicopter engine manufacturer, and has produced over 50 000 turbines based on its own designs since the company was founded. The Head Office is based in Bordes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques (south-west France). (ends)
