Rolls-Royce RR300 Will Power New Robinson R66 Helicopter
In March of 2007, Rolls Royce made it official... that they were
building a "next-generation" small turbine engine for the civil
helicopter market, and that it had been selected to power the
Robinson R66 Helo.
More than "just" a follow-on to the
highly-regarded Allison/Rolls 250, the 215 pound Rolls-Royce RR300
is rated at 300shp. According to RR, the new RR300 engine
represents a 'major step forward' in the helicopter industry by
providing 300 shaft horsepower at takeoff, excellent hot and high
performance and outstanding value. The RR300 makes Rolls-Royce
turbine power available in the lower shp range.
The engine is first destined for installation in future
production Robinson R66 helos. The new R66 five-seater is Robinson
Helicopter Company’s first venture into gas turbine-powered
rotorcraft and will complement the company’s existing line of
piston-powered aircraft -- which have been the best selling helos
in the business for many years. Rolls-Royce received FAA type
certification last year with full-rate production now underway and
trhe first production engine shipped to RHC last march. Under the
agreement with Robinson Helicopter, Rolls-Royce will provide
several hundred RR300 engines in upcoming years. A prototype RR300
engine has been flying on a Robinson helicopter prototype since
mid-2007.
Key attributes of the RR300 reportedly include: lower
acquisition and operating costs; low-weight, compact design;
improved specific fuel consumption; an embedded engine monitoring
system; and an optional, through-life, peace-of-mind maintenance
program.
The previous Model 250 line has produced nearly 30,000 engines,
with approximately 16,000 currently in service worldwide in a wide
range of aircraft styles.
In addition to orders with Robinson Helicopters, Rolls-Royce
also signed Memoranda of Understanding with Enstrom Helicopters,
Schweizer Aircraft and MD Helicopters to evaluate future
applications of the new RR300 engine family.
Aero-TV Gets Briefed On The 'Next-Gen' Rolls Royce
RR300
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