LYNN, Mass. -- Lockheed Martin was selected in January 2005 to develop the next generation VH-71 Presidential Helicopter for use by the U.S. President. In June 2005 GE was awarded a contract to provide CT7-8 engines for the VH-71 helicopter. Selection as engine supplier on the VH-71 program continues GE's tradition of providing aircraft engines for the fleet of the U.S. President including Air Force One, VH-60 and VH-3D aircraft.
The VH-71 program is divided into two phases: Increment 1 aircraft (five production helicopters) will be powered by 2500 shaft-horsepower (SHP) CT7-8E engines and Increment 2 aircraft (23 production helicopters) will be powered by 3,000 SHP CT7-8C-E1 engines.
In late 2007 GE hosted a VH-71 supplier conference that included more than two-dozen suppliers including VH-71 prime contractor Lockheed Martin, airframer AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter, BAE Systems, Honeywell, Hamilton Sunstrand and several other companies. The conference included nine different speakers highlighted by presentations by Lockheed Martin's Jeff Bantle, Vice President & General Manager - Presidential Helicopter Programs; and AgustaWestland's Les Cameron, VH-71 Program Manager.
Bantle and Cameron discussed the status of the key program deliverables including helicopter assembly, which is taking place at AugustaWestland's facility in Yeovil, England. All Increment 1 helicopters are in various stages of build including Test Vehicle 2 which has completed its initial flight trials and has been delivered to the U.S. Navy's Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland.
The Increment 1 flight test program will use five test aircraft to complete aircraft qualification in preparation for Initial Operation Capability in October 2009. GE Aviation is 100 percent on schedule on all program deliverables and in October once again received the top VH-71 supplier rating of Preferred Supplier.
Commenting on the award, Ed Birtwell, GE Vice President & General Manager - Turboshaft Engines, said, "GE is proud to continue our legacy of powering aircraft for the U.S. President. The VH-71 program represents a significant investment in equipment and resources and signifies our dedication to providing world-class engines to this critical program."
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.
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.