media releases

Rivalta di Torino (Turin, Italy) – June 19,  2019 - Avio Aero introduces the new collaboration with VR-Technologies to power the brand-new VRT500 Light Single-Engine Helicopter with its main transmission system. The overall value of this collaboration is worth more than 300mln dollars for Avio Aero.

 VRT500 is a new 2-ton class helicopter based on an innovative counter-rotating architecture designed by VR-Technologies, the new design bureau of Russian Helicopters, which is focused to become a leading player in the civil helicopter industry.

Avio Aero, through its Italian Centre of Excellence in Rivalta di Torino, is responsible for the whole rotor drive system from the development design to the manufacturing. For this futuristic helicopter which is the first in its class to use a counter-rotating architecture, Avio Aero, in a tight team working with the VRT500 engineers, is actively developing and producing the prototypes to support the first helicopter flight within 2020.

Furthermore, while supporting the development program, Avio Aero is building an advanced test rig in its Rivalta plant.

Mr. Riccardo Procacci, Avio Aero CEO said, ‘This new collaboration with VR-Technologies is the prove of our cutting-edge technology in power transmissions. We are proud to partner with this Company which inherits a successful industrial tradition of over 70 years spanning from light to the ultra-heavy helicopters used in the most severe environments. We have a strong commitment in helicopters market and new deals, such as the one with VR-Technologies, not only recognize this but are even paving the way for more advanced and innovative technology solution for the future.’

Mr. Alexander Okhonko, the General Manager at VR-Technologies, said, ‘This collaboration confirms our strong relationship and focus on European Market in the most contemporary context. We believe that this a significant step for us and our partners to create the future oriented product based on a proven and mature technology. We believe that with such partnership VRT500 will deliver a competitive and valuable product to our customers at the market of light single-engine helicopters.’

About Avio Aero

Avio Aero is a GE Aviation business that designs, manufactures and maintains propulsion systems for civil and military aviation. It is the center of excellence for the entire General Electric group in the field of mechanical transmissions and low-pressure turbines. It employs more than 4,200 people at its headquarters at Rivalta di Torino, where its largest production plant is also located, and at its other major plants in Brindisi and Pomigliano d'Arco (Naples). Abroad, it has a plant and test center in Poland. Founded in 1908, the company has overcome many technological challenges in over a century of its history. Continuous investments in research and development and an established network of relationships with leading universities and international research centers have enabled Avio Aero to develop technological and manufacturing excellence recognized across the globe: an achievement borne out by a range of collaborative partnerships with key operators in the global aviation industry. 

Avio Aero contacts

Michele Laterza – Senior Media Relations Leader

[email protected]  +39 334 69 42 913

Simone Berruto – Media Relations Specialist

[email protected]  +39 345 61 95 979