Pratt & Whitney Canada has announced that the Swiss Air Force has reached a significant milestone of 200,000 flight hours on its fleet of 45 PW206B2 engines, powering 19 Airbus H135 helicopters.
As noted by the company, this achievement underscores the reliability and performance of Pratt & Whitney engines in supporting critical military operations.
Nicolas Chabée, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Helicopter Engines at Pratt & Whitney Canada, praised the adaptability and cost-effectiveness of the PW200 family, including the PW206B2 engines. Over the years, Pratt & Whitney has collaborated closely with the Swiss Air Force to maintain the engines’ reliability, ensuring exceptional dispatch availability and a prolonged life cycle for the H135 fleet.
Nadine Schroeder, Communications Manager at the Swiss Air Force, emphasized the pivotal role of the H135 helicopters with PW206B2 engines in executing vital missions, including lifesaving operations and pilot training. The versatility and durability of these aircraft are paramount, contributing to the Swiss Air Force’s operational readiness and effectiveness.
One notable feature of the PW200 engine family is its integrated digital data capability, which enhances monitoring and maintenance procedures. With over 6,000 PW200 engines delivered and more than 16.5 million engine flying hours accumulated, Pratt & Whitney engines continue to demonstrate their reliability and longevity.
In addition to the H135 helicopters, Pratt & Whitney powers various aircraft in the Swiss Air Force’s fleet, including the Pilatus PC-6, de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, Pilatus PC-7, and Pilatus PC-21, utilizing the PT6A turboprop engine. Looking ahead, the Swiss Air Force is poised to receive F-35 fighter jets equipped with Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine, further solidifying the partnership between Pratt & Whitney and the Swiss military.