Honeywell has launched a renewed attack on the helicopter propulsion market led by its newly announced HTS900, HTS1000 and small heavy fuel engine (SHFE) turboshafts, and backed by an ambitious assault on the retrofit business with its upgraded LTS101 and T53.
Aerospace propulsion president Barry Eccleston says upgrades, new products and technology form the three legs of Honeywell's "strategy stool" as it launches its drive to capture a bigger slice of the estimated $1 billion-plus commercial helicopter engine market over the next 10 years. Leading the way is the recent decision by Bell Helicopter to select the HTS900 for the Bell 407X (Flight International, 8-14 February), which "is a major breakthrough for us", says Eccleston.
Rated at around 925shp (690kW), the HTS900 is derived from the LTS101, but is updated with a dual-channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC), a T800-style hydromechanical unit and technology from other programmes in the form of a new axial-centrifugal compressor and cooled gas-generator turbine. The engine is expected to be more than four times more reliable than the LTS101 from which it is originally derived and produces over 40% more power at ISA plus 35¡C (95¡F).
After spending over $35 million on improvements to the LTS101, Honeywell says the current -850 version now powering the US Coast Guard Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin has dramatically improved reliability with zero engine attributable in-flight shutdowns across the fleet in 2004. Hot-section inspection interval is now "at or above" industry standard at 3,000h and the goal is to build the interval to 5,000h, it adds.
The HTS900, which is aimed at single-engined applications between 1,820kg and 2,730kg (4,000-6,000lb) and twin-engined helicopters in the 2,730-4,540kg class, will have a 1,000shp (745kW) stablemate dubbed the HTS1000, possibly incorporating SHFE technology. Eccleston says the engine is aimed at "all things MAPL [Bell's Modular Affordable Product Line future helicopter project]". Engine tests on the HTS900 began in November and transient testing is under way, with flight tests planned later in 2005 for entry into service in 2007.
Source: Flight International
