Aircraft

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Helicopters of Russia to supply PW127TS engines for the Mi-38 utility helicopter.

Under the terms of the deal – finalised in Moscow earlier today – P&WC will develop and certificate a turboshaft version of the PW127 for the twin-engine Mi-38 in partnership with the Ufa Engine Industrial Association (Umpo) and the Central Institute of Aviation Motors. The powerplants will be assembled under licence by Umpo, while Kazan Helicopters will manufacture the Mi-38.

“We are very pleased to be entering into this innovative arrangement with Pratt & Whitney Canada, which brings together the outstanding track record and dependability of its engines with the growing capabilities of Russia's aerospace sector,” says Andrey Shibitov, general director of Helicopters of Russia. Helicopters of Russia was set up in 2006 by the Oboronprom industrial corporation to take over the company's helicopter-related assets.

The PW127TS engines will be sold to Helicopters of Russia in kits. Modules to convert the PW127 turboprop into a turboshaft will be built in Russia under the technical supervision of P&WC’s Russian affiliate Pratt & Whitney Rus, which will also provide technical support.

The 30-seat, 5t-payload Mi-38 helicopter is being developed by the Moscow Helicopter Plant, and is also capable of carrying external loads of up to 7t. Russian certification of the PW127TS is planned for 2011, while the Mi-38 entry into service is scheduled for 2012.

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