The Microturbo e-APU60, a new concept in auxiliary power units (APUs), recently completed a 150-hour block test and is progressing toward certification, Microturbo, a Safran Group company, announced at the NBAA Convention. “These tests gave us the opportunity to validate the reliability and the endurance of this new concept, meeting our expectations and those of our first customer, AgustaWestland,” said Pierre-Yves Morvan, CEO of Microturbo. “This milestone represents a significant step forward for the program.”

The e-APU60 has been undergoing parallel inflight tests as part of the AgustaWestland AW189 new-generation helicopter certification campaign since early this year. In addition to ground starts of the main engines and powering the electrical systems and cabin air-conditioning, the APU, capable of delivering up to 60kWe, can restart the engines in flight if necessary. FAA and EASA certification is expected in the first half of next year.