CTS800 Engine Receives FAA Type Certificate For T129 Helicopter

The CTS800-4A engine powering the T129 attack helicopter has received an FAA type certificate. The CTS800 is designed and produced by the Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company (LHTEC), a 50-50 partnership between Rolls-Royce and Honeywell.

The new type certificate for the CTS800-4A brings a high-speed output variant to complement the FAA- and EASA-certified CTS800-4N. The 4A version powers the T129, Turkish light attack helicopter for the ATAK program.

The CTS800, which is under evaluation for several key military platforms in the Asia-Pacific region, has surpassed 100,000 in-service flight hours and demonstrated performance in a variety of demanding operational environments. LHTEC, as well as Rolls-Royce and Honeywell, are experienced in both development and production integration programs for both civil and military rotorcraft programs.

LHTEC has received firm orders for more than 500 CTS800 engines for a number of aircraft families. The engine is easily supportable and maintainable in the field and the CTS800 program continues to gain momentum and is primed for significant growth in the future. The CTS800 is triple certified, including by the U.S. Army for military use, the FAA and EASA. Looking forward, the AW159 and T129 fleets are poised to enter service in 2012.

The CTS800 provides power in a range of military aircraft comprising several versions of the AgustaWestland Lynx family of helicopters including the newest AW159 Wildcat, the ATAK Team T129 attack helicopter, and the Japanese ShinMaywa US-2 amphibious aircraft. Additionally, the CTS800 has been demonstrated in a variety of platforms, including the Sikorsky X-2 Technology Demonstrator to an unofficial world speed record.