Paris, France -- GE Aviation continues to invest in its proven turboshaft engine technology and the results are top-performing, highly reliable powerplants for customer helicopter applications today and in the future. Following is an update on GE turboshaft engine programs.
- Earlier this year GE Aviation was awarded a multi-year contract extension for production of T700 turboshaft engines for U.S. Army and Navy Black Hawk series helicopters through 2014. This will support both upgrade programs and new installations. If exercised completely, this contract allows for the potential for up to an additional 3,700 T700 engines (-701D/-701E/-401C variants).
- GE is pursuing opportunities for its 700-701D (1,700-2000 shaft horsepower class) in the foreign military sales market - upgrades to current AH-64 and UH-60 engines & potential new orders.
- The UH-60M Black Hawk powered by the T700-701E is now flying. It incorporates an engine-mounted FADEC and, when integrated with the new fly-by-wire flight control system, provides more precise handling as well as reduced pilot workload and maintenance requirements.
- Development continues on the GE38-1B engine that will power the new U.S. Marine Corps' three-engine CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. The first engine build has recently transitioned to test. The GE38-1B is similar in architecture to the T700 and is capable of producing more than 7,500-shaft horsepower. The GE38-1B significantly advances the state-of-the-art in large turboshaft engine performance, fuel efficiency and life-cycle cost.
- Steady progress is ongoing on the T700-701K engine for the Korean Helicopter Program (KHP). GE and Samsung Techwin are co-developing the 701K to power 245 new indigenous helicopters. The -701K is the first rear-drive variant of the T700 engine, enabling installation into the KHP helicopter while providing opportunities to power other rear-drive applications.
- The CT7-8-powered CH-148 Cyclone helicopter for the Canadian government flew for the first time in Dec. and the flight-test program continues. GE will deliver 63 engines to support this program.
- The CT7-8 family now powers four aircraft applications: the NH90, S-92, AW101 and MH-60M (YT706 variant).
Overall 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 commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.