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Russia and France are planning to assemble a trial model of the jointly developed Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) ‘Saphir 15’ for helicopters this year, Russian company Technodinamika’s chief announced Thursday.
The auxiliary power unit ‘Saphir 15’ will be designed for virtually all helicopters, first and foremost Russian Mi- and Ka- models.
Russian Rostec’s Technodinamika and French Safran’s Microturbo signed a memorandum on manufacturing the ‘Saphir 15’ in March.
In accordance with the memorandum, Tehnodinamika has an exclusive right to technical maintenance of the device for the benefit of the first client – the Russian Helicopters company.
The Russian Helicopters deputy CEO said earlier the APU would help develop new technologies and diversify equipment for choppers, Shephardmedia reported.
The serial production is expected to kick off in 2017.
The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator/Hokum-B
© Sputnik
