Helicopter Transmissions business model

[tom31prev]

Dear community,

 

I try to understand the Helicopter Transmission business model (main, intermediate and tail rotor gearboxes): are the transmission systems designed and produced by the helicopter manufacturer (Bell, Leonardo, Airbus...) or by an OEM source (Avio Aero, ZF, Triumph...)?

Is there a trend towards outsourcing of these transmissions?

Thank a lot for your help,

Thomas

[iChris]

Dear community,

 

I try to understand the Helicopter Transmission business model (main, intermediate and tail rotor gearboxes): are the transmission systems designed and produced by the helicopter manufacturer (Bell, Leonardo, Airbus...) or by an OEM source (Avio Aero, ZF, Triumph...)?

Is there a trend towards outsourcing of these transmissions?

Thank a lot for your help,

Thomas

 

The design is most often totally in-house or with the assistance of another party; however, it’s often found to make more sense to outsource the hardcore manufacturing.

 

We coved this in a prior post May 2014, outsourcing of component parts and complete assemblies is commonplace. See link below:

 

Ref Link: Rotorcraft/Helicopter Transmissions/Gearbox Producers

 

Also check out companies like Northstar Aerospace (http://www.nsaero.com/products-services), a leading independent manufacturer of helicopter transmission components in the United States.

Edited July 10, 2016 by iChris

[tom31prev]

Thanks Chris for your reply

 

Indeed, some OEM like Northstar, Avio Aero (GE aviation), Triumph Group or Liebherr Aerospace are manufacturing some helicopter transmissions.

 

I was wondering if it was a trend to outsource those parts (to lower risk for example) or if it was an exception (so the helicopter manufacturers want to keep these strategic parts in their scope).

 

I understand it is not so clear