Defence

Honeywell/Rolls-Royce joint venture LHTEC has achieved type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency for the CTS800-4N engine that will power AgustaWestland's Future Lynx utility and T129 attack helicopters.

LHTEC says the type certification milestone clears the way for it to commence production deliveries of the 1,360shp (1,000kW)-rated engine to AgustaWestland, which received its first test example for the Future Lynx last April.

Subcontractor GKN Aerospace will deliver the first Future Lynx airframe in November, and the type remains on schedule to make its flight debut in Yeovil, Somerset, around November 2009, says AgustaWestland.

© AgustaWestland

The British Army will receive 40 of the twin-engined aircraft (Battlefield Reconnaissance Helicopter variant pictured above) and the Royal Navy 30, with deliveries scheduled to run between 2011 and 2017.

T129s on order for the Turkish army will also be powered by the new CTS800-4N design.