LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS - FiatAvio, the aerospace company of the Fiat Group, and Agusta, an AgustaWestland company, have signed a contract for production and logistics support of the T700/T6E1 engine for the Italian military multi-role NH 90 helicopters.This engine contract is the first awarded after signing of the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) Memorandum of Understanding for production go-ahead.A total of 396 engines plus spares will be produced for 196 helicopters. This contract covers the initial procurement of 232 engines for 116 helicopters.The T700/T6E1, rated at 2,000 kW, is the newest growth derivative of GE's T700 engine family. The T700/T6E1 was co-developed and will be co-produced by GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) and FiatAvio. FiatAvio is responsible for 50 percent of the design and testing of the certification engines and will assemble and test the production engines for Italy's NH 90 helicopters at their Brindisi plant. In addition, production engine components will be manufactured at Fiat's plants in Pomigliano d'Arco, Acerra, and Torino. Overall, Fiat will produce 60 percent of the T700/T6E1 engines for the Italian NH 90 and 40 percent for other T700/T6E1 markets worldwide.The Italian Defence Administration will begin taking delivery of the NH 90 helicopters in 2004.T700 military engines and their CT7 commercial counterparts are the most popular engines in their class, with more than 11,400 produced for 133 customers in 57 countries throughout the world.