Rolls-Royce plc entered into a five-year agreement to supply Enstrom Helicopter Corporation with its M250 turboshaft engines, as the power source for the 480B helicopter. The specific terms of the contract, including its estimated value and the number of engines to be delivered, were not revealed.
Enstrom Helicopter, based in Menominee, Mich., produces three models, the largest of which is the 480B. It is a five-seat aircraft developed as a military training helicopter, but also used in civil and private service, including for law enforcement, emergency medical, agriculture, commercial, and private operations. Rolls-Royce noted the 480B is recognized “for its combination of safety, stability, comfort, and value.”
The Enstrom 480B is powered exclusively by a single Rolls-Royce M250-C20W engine, and more than 220 M250-powered 480B helicopters are in service worldwide. “We value our relationship with Rolls-Royce and our combined global service network provides our customers with the best support solution in the industry,” according to Tracy Biegler, Enstrom Helicopter president and CEO.
The M250 is a turboshaft engine originally developed by the Allison Engine Co., but it has been produced by Rolls-Royce since it acquired that company in 1995. While the initial design was certified for a standard-horsepower rating of 317, continuous improvement programs have increased the latest variant’s rating to 715 shp, according to Rolls. It has powered more than 235 million flight hours, according to the builder, and more than 31,000 M250 engines have been supplied.
Jason Propes, Rolls-Royce, senior vice president, helicopters, said, “The reliable Rolls-Royce M250 engine is ideally suited for the Enstrom 480B helicopter, offering a unique and compact engine design.”
