Turkish Light Utility Helicopter to purchase CTS800 turboshaft engines for light helicopters

Turkish Aerospace Industries and the Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company, a 50-50 partnership between Honeywell International Inc. and Rolls-Royce, have signed an agreement to supply CTS800 turboshaft engines for the Turkish Light Utility Helicopter, a program of the Undersecretary for Defense Industry since September 2013.

The agreement, which confirms a memorandum of understanding signed at this year’s Paris Air Show, consists of a five-year development program to integrate and certify the CTS800-4AT engine model on the Turkish Light Utility Helicopter (TLUH) platform. The agreement is expected to result in a production program that will provide helicopters to the local Turkish military and civil market, as well as globally. With the CTS800, operators will benefit from a proven commercial and military propulsion system that expands mission range and payload.

In addition to the development program, Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company plans to industrialize production and maintenance of the engine in Turkey, boosting the Turkish aerospace market by providing local opportunities for manufacturing and depot repair.

“This deal will deliver a wealth of employment and industrial benefits to the Turkish aerospace industry,” said Daryl Mastin, president, LHTEC. “LHTEC is committed to working with local Turkish companies to manufacture the CTS800 engine as well as establish a local depot with maintenance and repair capabilities to support these future fleets.”