French engine manufacturer Turbomeca is to provide support services for its engines used on training helicopters of the Australian Defense Force, the company reports.
The services are for 15 Arrius 2B2 engines that power EC135 T2 helicopters and will be provided by the company's Australian subsidiary, Turbomeca Australsia, under a contract issued by Boeing Defense Australia.
Australia's new EC135 T2 helicopters will train crews for the new generation of advanced combat helicopters, such as ARH Tiger, CH-47F Chinook and MRH-90.
The helicopters were procured under the government's Helicopter Aircrew Training System, the seventh stage of an Australian Defense Force acquisition program called JP 9000 for a large fleet of multi-role helicopters.
"The HATS program will expand the training capability and provide rotary wing training outcomes for the Australian Army and Navy," the company said. "Turbomeca Australasia is delighted to be a partner in this commercial-off-the-shelf solution.
"The signing of this contract with Boeing Defense Australia supplements services already provided by TAA in support of the Tiger and MRH propulsion systems and cements TAA as the leading provider of gas turbine engines to the ADF Helicopter Fleet."
The contract is a support-by-the-hour arrangement but its financial terms were not disclosed.
