The Safran Arriel is a turboshaft family for light helicopters, originally developed by Turbomeca. The first certified variants were the Arriel 1A for the AS365 Dauphin and 1B for the AS350 Ecureuil in 1977. Later developments extended the family to aircraft from Airbus, Sikorsky and other manufacturers.[1]Safran celebrates Arriel engine family 40th anniversarySafran · safran-group.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Early development
The first prototype was designed in 1969 and ran on the ground in September 1973. Flight testing began aboard a Gazelle on 7 December 1974 from the manufacturer's facility at Pau. The programme subsequently developed into two main product lines, with the Arriel 1 and Arriel 2 serving different power requirements.[1]Safran celebrates Arriel engine family 40th anniversarySafran · safran-group.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]Arriel 1E2, engine of the Airbus EC145Safran · safran-group.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Arriel 1 applications
Safran places the Arriel 1 range at approximately 650–750 shaft horsepower. The Arriel 1E2 powers the EC145 and its US Army derivative, the UH-72A Lakota. The Lakota is assembled in Mississippi and uses the same engine lineage for a military utility and training role, extending the family's civil-helicopter origins into a substantial military application.[2]Arriel 1E2, engine of the Airbus EC145Safran · safran-group.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Arriel 2 development
The Arriel 2 was certified in 1996 with a new high-pressure turbine and full-authority digital engine control. The later 2+ development, certified in 2011, introduced further compressor and turbine changes, including revised blade materials and shapes. These developments increased capability while reducing the pilot's engine-management workload.[1]Safran celebrates Arriel engine family 40th anniversarySafran · safran-group.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Mission range
Safran identifies Arriel 2 power outputs from approximately 830 to more than 1,000 shaft horsepower. Across the family, aircraft undertake emergency medical transport, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime surveillance. The EC145/Lakota installation is one example of this breadth: a common engine family supports both public-service helicopters and aircraft operated under military requirements.[2]Arriel 1E2, engine of the Airbus EC145Safran · safran-group.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details