LYNN, Massachusetts - GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Motoren- und Turbinen-Union (MTU) of Germany whereby the companies will participate in a co-production/revenue-sharing agreement for the manufacture and sale of the new 2500-shaft-horsepower-class T700/T6E growth engine for Germany's new fleet of NH90 helicopters, as well as other new NH90 programs worldwide.
The T700/T6E is being co-developed by GEAE, Alfa Romeo Avio, and FiatAvio. The engine, which has already demonstrated more than 2,700 shaft horsepower, will be flight-tested in an NH90 aircraft later this year.
Louis A. Bevilacqua, general manager of GEAE's Turboshaft/Turboprop Projects Department, said, " Germany plans to acquire a fleet of 243 NH90 helicopters, for which more than 500 T700/T6E engines will be required. For these engines, MTU will manufacture its share of hardware and will be responsible for assembly, inspection, and test, as well as repair and overhaul." MTU will also manufacture hardware for other new NH90 programs throughout the world.
The T700/CT7 engine family currently powers 24 helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft applications for 117 customers in 51 countries. To date, more than 10,000 engines have been delivered, and the T700/CT7 engine family has accumulated more than 20 million flight hours of highly reliable operation in turboshaft and turboprop applications, often in extreme environments.