At the Dubai Airshow, VR-Technologies (part of Russian Helicopters Holding Company) and Pratt & Whitney Canada signed a contract to fit the light VRT500 helicopter with gas-turbine PW207V engines.
PW207V is the advanced modification of PW200 family engines with the capacity of up to 700 horsepower designed for light-class rotorcraft. All in all, over 5,000 powerplants of this type have been produced by now. They have clocked more than 11 million flight hours.
“PW200 family engines have shown excellent performance as reliable powerplants for helicopters,” said Andrey Boginsky, director general of Russian Helicopters Holding Company. “Currently they are being operated in more than 80 countries worldwide which should considerably simplify the certification of VRT500 and render its after-sales support more accessible and efficient. Russian Helicopters have a successful experience of cooperation with Pratt & Whitney Canada, and I am sure that VRT500 project shall strengthen the partnership between the companies.”
“The main component of any operating system is the engine,” said Alexander Okhonko, CEO of VR Technologies. “We are thrilled to announce VRT500 will be powered by PW200 engines, an engine and brand with a proven track record in safety, reliability, economy and ease of maintenance which of course is key for our helicopter operators.”
“Congratulations to VR Technologies for launching the VRT500 helicopter,” said Anthony Rossi, vice president, business development and commercial services, Pratt & Whitney. “We are proud that they have selected the PW207V engine. We look forward to working together to make this innovative platform a global success.”
In order to be installed in the VRT500 helicopter, the PW207V engine is to be adapted to power single-engine rotorcraft, with the corresponding amendment of the type certificate.
VRT500 is a light single-engine helicopter with coaxial rotor scheme and takeoff weight of 1,650 kilograms. The helicopter features the most spacious transport and cargo cabin in its class with a capacity of up to five passengers and is equipped with the state-of-the-art interactive avionics suite. Due to the embodied design solutions, this helicopter will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 250 km/h, have a flight range of up to 860 km and take up to 730 kg of payload on board. The helicopter is developed in the following configurations: passenger, utility, cargo, training, VIP and EMS.
JSC Russian Helicopters, a part of Rostec State Corporation, is a leading player in the global helicopter industry, the sole Russian designer and manufacturer of helicopters. The Holding Company was established in 2007. Headquartered in Moscow, Russian Helicopters operates five helicopter assembly plants, two design bureaus, component production and maintenance enterprises, aircraft repair plants and one helicopter service company providing after-sales support in Russia and abroad.
The customers of the Holding Company are the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Home Affairs, EMERCOM of Russia, and other state customers, Gazpromavia, UTair Aviation company, large Russian and foreign companies.
