LYNN, Mass. -- GE Aviation and the U.S. Army achieved a notable milestone when the 2,000th T700-GE-701D engine conversion was produced recently.
The Army announced in 2004 plans to convert the majority of its Apache and Black Hawk helicopter fleet to the T700-701D. In January 2006 the second five-year support contract was issued to the GE/Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) partnership to continue supporting T700 engine and component overhauls, including the -701D engine conversions. T700-701D conversions at CCAD will be completed over the next five years.
"We are proud of the -701D upgrade program, our relationship with CCAD and the positive impact they've had on enhancing helicopter missions," said Scott Reed, GE's Director - T700 US Military Programs. "We're pleased to have played a role in the Army's ability to accumulate over 1.5 million Apache and Black Hawk combat hours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom."
The GE/CCAD partnership is viewed as best-in-class and is a prime reason for the ongoing success at CCAD, which has reduced turn-around times over 70 percent and increased Time-on-Wing (TOW) while sustaining a nearly 3X-operating tempo during follow-up missions. CCAD production output and quality resulted in zero engine back-orders and superior Black Hawk and Apache mission capability in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"As a major partner to the CCAD family, GE was able to help accelerate the conversion program so that we produced the first -701D engine in August 2005, nine months ahead of the original plan," said Tony Conrad GE's site manager for the GE/CCAD Partnership. "We have been partners with AMCOM and CCAD for eight years and have provided more than eight million parts and increased the total production output from 520 units a year in 2000 to over 1,500 on average today. The top priority is the warfighter, and we will support the mission wherever it takes us."
The -701D features improved hot-section components that provide twice the hot section durability, lower life-cycle costs, and 5 percent more power than the current T700-701C engine. Rated at 2000 shaft horsepower, the -701D was awarded U.S. Army qualification in 2004.
T700-701D opportunities for GE also exist in the foreign military sales market, covering 2,000-plus engines for both upgrades to current AH-64 and UH-60 operators and future AH-64 and UH-60M deliveries.
GE's successful T700/CT7 family of turboprop and turboshaft engines currently powers 25 types of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in service with more than 130 customers in more than 50 countries. This engine family has accumulated over 50 million engine flight hours of experience.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.