News
Turbomeca marks a million flight hours with U.S. Coast Guard
December 17, 2015 By Carey Fredericks
Turbomeca (Safran) is celebrating a major achievement: one million hours flown by U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphins fitted with the Arriel 2C2-CG engine. Operating a fleet of over 200 Arriels, the U.S.C.G. is one of Turbomeca’s major U.S. customers.
The occasion was celebrated in presence of U.S.C.G. Lieutenant Commander Edward S Apontes, and several Turbomeca representatives, from France and USA, at the U.S.C.G. Aviation Logistics Center at Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
As part of the Deepwater program, the U.S.C.G. decided in 2004 to re-engine its entire fleet of MH-65 Dolphins with the Arriel 2C2-CG. The first flight of an Arriel-powered MH-65 took place in June 2003, and Turbomeca delivered the first production 2C2-CG in May 2004. A total of 225 engines were delivered, the last one handed over in April 2007.
The Arriel 2C2-CG has provided better safety, reliability, power and performance margins to the MH-65. The helicopters are used for critical missions including search and rescue, law enforcement, environmental response and maritime surveillance.
Jean-François Sauer, Arriel & Arrius program Vice President, said: “Arriel is the proven and reliable engine solution within the 700 to 1,000 shp range. The 10 year successful partnership with the US Coast Guard demonstrates Turbomeca’s capability to fulfill U.S. military program requirements, including on-time deliveries, predictable costs and product performance commitments. Our MRO Center in Grand Prairie, Texas, provides close and efficient support to all our U.S. military customers. We are very proud that, every day, U.S.C.G. crews depend on the Arriel to help them protect and save lives”.
Over 1,100 Arriel engines are in service within U.S. Government Agencies.
