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turboshaft
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Diagram showing a turboshaft engine powering a helicopter rotor. The labeled components include compressor, combustion chamber, core turbine, power turbine, output shaft, gearbox, rotor head, and rotor blades.
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turboshaft

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Diagram showing a turboshaft engine powering a helicopter rotor. The labeled components include compressor, combustion chamber, core turbine, power turbine, output shaft, gearbox, rotor head, and rotor blades.
Turboshaft engine driving a helicopter rotor Figure 2: Turboshaft engine driving a helicopter rotor as propulsor.

A turboshaft engine is a type of gas turbine engine that is similar to a turboprop engine. However, instead of powering a propeller, it uses a transmission system to power other devices, such as helicopter rotors and pumps.1

Turboshaft engines are particularly important for helicopters, as they provide the power needed for hovering and forward flight. The engine's core generates gas horsepower, which is then extracted by a power turbine. This turbine drives the helicopter rotor through a speed-reducing gearbox. The power and reliability of turboshaft engines have enabled helicopters to perform a wide range of missions, including rescue, transport, and agricultural work.23

While gas turbine engines can produce large amounts of power and are lighter than reciprocating engines, efficient units require careful design and costly materials due to high operating temperatures and stresses.4

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6 Britannica Sources
  1. gas-turbine engine - General characteristics
  2. turboshaft
  3. jet engine - Turboshaft engines
  4. history of flight - Turbine -powered helicopters
  5. jet engine - Medium-bypass turbofans , high-bypass turbofans , and ultrahigh-bypass engines
  6. jet engine - Turboprops , propfans, and unducted fan engines

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