Safran Helicopter Engines initiate first ground run of Tech TP turboprop demonstrator

Safran Helicopter Engines has made the first ground run of its Tech TP, a turboprop technological demonstrator based on an Ardiden 3 turboshaft and developed as part of the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The test took place at Safran Helicopter Engines’ facility in Tarnos, France. More than 20 European partners1 are contributing to this technological demonstrator. The Tech TP aims are to validate the technologies required to develop a new-generation turboprop,  featuring a compact, lightweight architecture and offering 15% lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions than current engines, the firm said. Tech TP would then form the