Rolls-Royce and Composite Helicopters Sign Engine MoU

With a composite fuselage and powerful turbine engine, newcomer is on track to deliver change to the rotorcraft industry.

By Amy Laboda • Writer

March 4, 2015

With the swish of pens on March 4 at Heli-Expo 2015, Rolls-Royce senior vice president Jason Propes and Composite Helicopters CEO Peter Maloney sealed a deal to explore the development of a turbine helicopter with an advanced composite fuselage. Built from Maloney’s trademarked EvoStrength technology, the Composite Helicopters KC630 is one of three helicopter variants under development at the company. Each is constructed from a full monocoque fuselage fabricated entirely from rigid composite materials, promising excellent impact, corrosion and fatigue resistance.

“This is the first time we are showing the helicopters in a professional environment, and we are seeing that the helicopter community is ready for us. We are moving into high-tech composite construction, which creates a strong, robust airframe with a design TBO. The response is overwhelming–56 signed declarations of interest, and we expect 30 deposits in hand this week [at Heli-Expo]. We are targeting type certification by the end of 2017,” Maloney told AIN. “Rolls-Royce has been very supportive throughout our development program, and we are looking forward to a long and productive relationship with the company,” he continued.

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