NEWTOWN, Conn. -- The Pratt & Whitney Canada PW200 series of turboshaft engines compete primarily against Safran's Arriel and Arrius series in the market for light helicopter engines. While the medium- and long-term outlooks for the engine are good, we expect the impact of an anticipated cyclical downturn to lead to lower production of light helicopters in 2021-2022.
Bell Helicopter's 429 twin-engine helicopter will be one of the most important applications for the PW200 program. It has advantages in speed, climb rate, and range over the H135 and a bigger cabin than either the H135 or the Leonardo GrandNew.
The latest version of the H135, equipped with the Airbus-developed Helionix avionics suite, is currently in production along with one older variant. Airbus offers two engine options on the H135: the PW206B and the Safran Arrius. The forecast assumes production of the H135 will be split roughly 50-50 between the Arrius and PW206 models during the forecast period.
The Sikorsky S-76D program has been hurt by weak demand for new rotorcraft from the offshore oil and gas sector, a situation exacerbated by the existence of a surplus of capacity in that market. Production has been light in recent years and will remain low through the forecast period.
The PW200 series is available on two AW109 models, the AW109 GrandNew and the AW109 Power. These aircraft compete in the same segment as Bell's 429 and Airbus Helicopters' H135. The GrandNew has a larger cabin that appeals to the EMS and SAR segments; it also has the more powerful PW207C engine versus the Power's PW206C. Due to its greater performance, the GrandNew will continue to outsell the Power. The PW206C is one of two engine options on the AW109, and we expect it to split the market with the competing Arrius 2K1.
Leonardo's twin-engine AW169 achieved European certification in July 2015. Securing the AW169 as an application for the PW210 was a big win for P&WC because new light helicopter programs are so rare.
The Russian-made Kazan Ansat uses a version of the PW207. It will see only a low rate of production in coming years.
The MD902 light twin is yet another application for the PW200 family, but we have been unable to confirm any deliveries since 2014. MDHI is working on an improved model called the MD969, but press reports indicate that MDHI is looking to repower the aircraft with a more powerful engine.
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