Safran's WZ16 engine jointly developed with the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) has received Chinese CAAC certification, the engine maker announced today. It is the first jointly developed aero engine to be entirely certified by Chinese authorities. Also known as the Ardiden 3C, the WZ16 has been jointly developed and built by Safran Helicopter Engines with Harbin Dongan Engine and Hunan Aerospace Propulsion Research Institute (HAPRI), both parts of the AECC consortium.

The Ardiden 3C was certified by EASA in April 2018. The WZ16 flight-test campaign started in December 2016 in the Avic AC352 medium twin. The WZ16/Ardiden 3C (1,700 shp to 2,000 shp) is a new design that features compact modular architecture, a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio, and delivers 10 percent better fuel consumption than comparable engines, according to Safran.

Safran Helicopter Engines executive vice president of programs Bruno Bellanger said Chinese certification “confirms that the WZ16 is now ready to operate in accordance with Chinese safety and performance standards” and is “a major step toward AC352 entry-into-service.”