Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322

{{Short description|1980s British/French turboshaft engine}}  {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}} {{Use British English|date=August 2017}} {{infobox aero engine |name= RTM322 |image= File:Salon du Bourget 20090619 248.jpg |caption= RTM322 cutout at Le Bourget 2009 |engine_type= Turboshaft |national_origin = |manufacturer= Safran Helicopter Engines<br>Rolls-Royce Turbomeca (until 2013) |first_run=15 December 1984<ref name="Flight5jan1985">{{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1985/1985%20-%200048.PDF |title= First RTM 322 runs |magazine= Flight International |date= 5 January 1985}}</ref> |major_applications= {{ubl|AgustaWestland Apache| AgustaWestland AW101| NHI NH90}} |number_built = |developed_from = |developed_into = |variants_with_their_own_articles = }}

The '''Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322''' is a turboshaft engine currently produced by Safran Helicopter Engines. The RTM322 was originally conceived and manufactured by Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Limited, a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Turbomeca, now Safran Helicopter Engines. The engine was designed to suit a wide range of military and commercial helicopter designs. The RTM322 can also be employed in maritime and industrial applications.

The '''Safran Aneto''' is a later development targeted for the super-medium and heavy helicopters, developed by Safran Helicopter Engines covering the {{cvt|2500|to|3000|hp}} range.

==Development==

The engine was designed for the Hughes AH-64 Apache and Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk, competing with the General Electric T700 and the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100. The partners shared the £100 million development costs equally. Rolls-Royce made the turbines, the combustor, and the inlet particle separator: Turbomeca produced the axial-centrifugal compressor and intake.

The engine first ran on 15 December 1984, with eight bench prototypes for 30,000 cycles and 13,000 test hours, and four for flight tests, initially aiming for type certification to be issued in 1987.<ref name="Flight5jan1985">{{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1985/1985%20-%200048.PDF |title= First RTM 322 runs |magazine= Flight International |date= 5 January 1985}}</ref>

The first order for the RTM322 was received in 1992 to power 44 Royal Navy AgustaWestland Merlin HM1s which subsequently entered service in 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rolls-royce.com/defence/products/helicopters/rtm_322.jsp |title= RTM322| access-date = 2009-03-16 | publisher = Rolls-Royce plc}}</ref> Over 1,100 engines are in service, having logged over one million flight hours, powering 60% of the Agusta-Westland AW101 fleet and 80% of in-service NH90s.<ref name="SafranRTM322">{{cite web |url= https://www.safran-helicopter-engines.com/helicopter-engines/over-2000-shp/rtm322 |work= Over 2,000 shp Propulsion solution |title= RTM322 |publisher= Safran Helicopter Engines}}</ref>

In 2013, Turbomeca, later part of the Safran Group, acquired the entire programme, becoming responsible for both production and product support.<ref name="SafranRTM322">{{cite web |url= https://www.safran-helicopter-engines.com/helicopter-engines/over-2000-shp/rtm322 |work= Over 2,000 shp Propulsion solution |title= RTM322 |publisher= Safran Helicopter Engines}}</ref> Safran Helicopter Engines has since developed a new engine derived from the RTM322, known as the Aneto.

==Safran Aneto== thumb|Safran Aneto

The first 2,500 shp -1K was selected to power the Leonardo AW149 and Leonardo AW189K twin to extend their capabilities. The engine flew in March 2017 and was scheduled to be introduced in the fourth quarter of 2018.<ref name="3oct2017PR">{{cite press release |url= https://www.safran-helicopter-engines.com/media/safran-unveils-aneto-its-new-range-engines-super-medium-and-heavy-helicopter-market-20170929 |title= Safran unveils Aneto – its new range of engines for the super-medium and heavy helicopter market |publisher= Safran |date= 3 Oct 2017}}</ref> The more powerful 3,000+ shp “Dash 3” should appear in the early 2020s and will feature a new compressor and hot section.<ref name="AvWeek3oct2017">{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/technology/aw189-first-get-new-safran-turboshaft |title= AW189 First To Get New Safran Turboshaft |date= Oct 3, 2017 |author= Tony Osborne |work= Aviation Week Network}}</ref> The required documentation was expected to be handed to the EASA in early 2019 for a second quarter certification.<ref name="Flight17oct2018">{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/leonardo-still-waiting-on-launch-customer-for-aw189k-452779/ |title= Leonardo still waiting on launch customer for AW189K |date= 17 Oct 2018 |author= Dominic Perry |work= Flightglobal}}</ref> By October 2018, the programme had accumulated 4,000 hours, including 105 hours of flight time. In 2018 Sikorsky was considering re-engining its CT7-powered S-92.<ref name="Flight17oct2018engines">{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/safran-powering-ahead-with-helicopter-engine-program-452782/ |title= Safran powering ahead with helicopter engine programmes |date= 17 Oct 2018 |author= Dominic Perry |work= Flightglobal}}</ref> thumb|An Aneto-powered AW149. The {{cvt|1063|kW}} Aneto-1K was added on the RTM 322 type certificate on 12 December 2019.<ref name="TCDS">{{cite web |url= https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/type-certificates/engine-cs-e/easae009-rtm-322-aneto-1-series-engines |title= Type-certificate data sheet No. E. 009 for RTM 322 / ANETO-1 series engines |publisher= EASA |date= 6 May 2020}}</ref>

===Design===

As an RTM322 variant, the Aneto is a two spool turboshaft with a three stage axial compressor and a single stage centrifugal compressor turning at 36,300{{nbsp}}rpm, a reverse flow annular combustor, a two stage gas generator axial turbine and a two stage axial power turbine with a forward transmission shaft turning at 21,000{{nbsp}}rpm. Fitted with an inlet particle separator, its accessory gearbox is driven by the gas generator and the engine is controlled by a FADEC.<ref name="TCDS" />

Built upon the Safran Tech 3000 technological demonstrator, it aims to gradually offer up to 15% better fuel economy over current competitors to improve payload-range and offers 25% better power density than existing engines of same volume. Offered for new or for existing models, fewer scheduled maintenance tasks, longer maintenance intervals and health monitoring should improve maintainability.<ref name="3oct2017PR">{{cite press release |url= https://www.safran-helicopter-engines.com/media/safran-unveils-aneto-its-new-range-engines-super-medium-and-heavy-helicopter-market-20170929 |title= Safran unveils Aneto – its new range of engines for the super-medium and heavy helicopter market |publisher= Safran |date= 3 Oct 2017}}</ref>

Suited for 8–15 ton helicopters, it is developed from the RTM322: the -1K has a similar architecture but no common parts. Parts made by additive manufacturing are used in the gyratory combustion chamber and the inlet guide vane system. Compatible with hybrid and distributed propulsion systems, in cruise flight one of the two engines could be shut down and restarted when needed. In the AW189, it is offered as an alternative to the incumbent General Electric CT7, needing minor changes to the top-deck structure and engine cowls. Exempted from U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations, it could power the AW189's military derivative, the AW149 or a future attack helicopter based on its dynamic systems.<ref name="AvWeek3oct2017">{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/technology/aw189-first-get-new-safran-turboshaft |title= AW189 First To Get New Safran Turboshaft |date= Oct 3, 2017 |author= Tony Osborne |work= Aviation Week Network}}</ref>

Developed from a French Aviation Authority study, the Safran Power Pack Eco Mode on the Airbus Helicopters Racer allows it to put one of the two engines on standby during cruise flight, lowering fuel consumption by 15%, and quickly and automatically reactivate it with an electric starter to its maximum power for acceleration, landing or emergencies.<ref name="AIN27feb2018">{{cite news |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-02-27/airbus-selects-safrans-aneto-racer |title= Airbus Selects Safran's Aneto for Racer |author= Mark Huber |date= February 27, 2018 |work= AIN}}</ref> The Aneto specific fuel consumption should be 10% better  than the competing CT7s.<ref name="Flight17oct2018" />

==Applications== *AgustaWestland Apache *AgustaWestland AW101 *NHIndustries NH90 * Eurocopter X3

===Aneto=== * Leonardo AW149 * Leonardo AW189K: Aneto-1K, 2,500 shp; March 2017 first flight, fourth quarter of 2018 introduction.<ref name="3oct2017PR" /> * Proposed for the Airbus Helicopters X6<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/safran-launches-new-aneto-engine-on-leonardo-aw189-441719/ |title= Safran launches new Aneto engine on Leonardo AW189 |date= 3 Oct 2017 |author= Dominic Perry |work= Flightglobal}}</ref> (suspended) * Airbus Helicopters Racer high-speed demonstrator: Aneto-1X, 2,500 shp.<ref name="AIN27feb2018">{{cite news |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-02-27/airbus-selects-safrans-aneto-racer |title= Airbus Selects Safran's Aneto for Racer |author= Mark Huber |date= February 27, 2018 |work= AIN}}</ref> * Indian Multi Role Helicopter: Aneto-1H<ref>{{Cite web |last=alphadefense.in |date=2024-07-15 |title=Exclusive: ANETO–1H Engine for IMRH and DBMRH |url=https://alphadefense.in/index.php/2024/07/15/exclusive-aneto-1h-engine-for-imrh-and-dbmrh/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=alphadefense.in |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Specifications== {| class="wikitable" ! Variant<ref name="TCDS" /> ! RTM322-01/1 ! RTM322-01/9 ! Aneto-1K |- | Type || colspan= 3 | Turboshaft |- | Compressor || colspan= 3 | Three axial stages + one centrifugal stage |- | Combustor || colspan= 3 | Reverse flow annular |- | Turbine || colspan= 3 | Two-stage high-pressure + two-stage power |- | Length || colspan= 3 | {{cvt|1171-1181|mm}} |- | Diameter || colspan= 3 | {{cvt|615-708|mm}} |- | Dry weight || {{convert|255|kg|abbr=on}} || {{convert|232|kg|abbr=on}} || {{convert|260|kg|abbr=on}} |- | Take-off power || {{convert|1611|kW|abbr=on}}|| {{convert|1611|kW|abbr=on}} || {{convert|1063|kW|abbr=on}}{{efn|one engine inoperative: {{cvt|1572|kW|abbr=on}} }} |- | Gas generator speed || colspan=3 | 36,300 rpm |- | Power turbine speed || 20,900 rpm || 20,841 rpm || 21,000 rpm |- | Power/weight ratio || {{convert|{{#expr:1566/255round1}}|kW/kg|abbr=on}} || {{convert|{{#expr:1611/232round1}}|kW/kg|abbr=on}} || {{convert|{{#expr:1063/260round1}}|kW/kg|abbr=on}} |- | BSFC || || {{cvt|0.420|lb/hp.h|g/kW.h|order=flip|disp=br}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Gas Turbine Engines |magazine= Aviation Week |date= January 2008 |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181106021310if_/http://www.geocities.jp/nomonomo2007/AircraftDatabase/AWdata/AviationWeekPages/GTEnginesAWJan2008.pdf }}</ref> || |} {{notelist}}

==See also== {{aircontent |see also= |related= |lists= *List of aircraft engines |similar engines= * General Electric T700/CT7 * Klimov TV7-117 * Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 }}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.rolls-royce.com/defence/products/helicopters/rtm_322.jsp Rolls-Royce RTM322 page] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090803231550/http://www.turbomeca.com/public/turbomeca_v2/html/en/produits/sous_famille_home.php?sfid=509&mid=615 Turbomeca RTM 322 page] * {{official website|https://www.safran-helicopter-engines.com/helicopter-engines/over-2000-shp/hpe-high-power-engines}}

Category:1990s turboshaft engines Category:Rolls-Royce aircraft gas turbine engines Category:Turbomeca aircraft engines Category:Mixed-compressor gas turbines Category:2010s turboshaft engines