When it comes to providing next generation engine power for Army Apaches and Black Hawks, what does it mean to be ready?

2018-10-09T11:19:30-04:00

To GE, it means combining the latest proven technologies with 40 years of platform experience to drive down risk. With a fully tested prototype, GE is ready to power the next generation of Army Apache and Black Hawk helicopters. Here’s why the new GE T901 is ready to fight tonight:

Readiness is 21st century technology that builds on a combat-proven architecture.

• GE has more than 100 million flight hours and 40 years of Black Hawk and Apache experience that prove a single-spool architecture is a design the Army can rely on.
• Using commercially proven 21st century technologies, the GE T901 accomplishes 50% more power and 25% fuel savings with the same simple single-spool architecture of the T700. Its 3D aero, additive technology and CMCs are already flying in today’s commercial fleets. And its 715 million LEAP, GE9x, GEnx commercial engine flight hours at service entry prove the technology. GE is ready to bring their advantages to the warfighter.

Readiness is combat flexibility.

• Only a single-spool design is fully modular. A dual-spool design does not allow the same level of access to internal engine components as a single-spool design, reducing the amount of maintenance a technician can perform in the field.
• This unmatched shadow-of-the-aircraft maintainability results in superior mission flexibility.
• A simpler design also results in lower maintenance costs, and greater readiness.

Readiness is unmatched platform engine integration experience.

• GE knows how to take Apache and Black Hawk helicopters hotter and higher, because we’ve done it before.
• Since 1978, GE Aviation has performed ten T700 engine integrations on various Army Black Hawk models, resulting in 73% greater power.
• Since 1984, GE Aviation has performed five T700 engine integrations on various Army Apache helicopters, resulting in 17% greater power. The JV competition has zero.

Readiness is investment in modern technologies and manufacturing capabilities.

• GE has invested over $10 billion in U.S. plants over the past decade.
• Heavily focused on additive and CMC manufacturing.
• 10 plants have been expanded, resulting in 1.5 million square feet of new space.
• This has also meant growth in the supply chain and more than 2,800 new jobs.
• GE’s investment in modern facilities and technology over the past decade make it ready to support T901 production, ensuring this capability gets to the warfighter as soon as possible.

In conclusion, GE is inspired by 40 years of platform experience. The new T901 prototype has been fully tested for proof of concept, and it has a simpler design using proven 21st century technologies. It is fully modular for unmatched flexibility in combat and reduced life cycle costs. This results in better reliability and lower risk. GE stands ready to answer the call.

Get the facts at https://rly.pt/2NvXiPB

The T901 Turboshaft Engine | GE Aviation

As Apache and Black Hawk helicopters add capabilities and associated weight, they are also required to perform at higher and hotter conditions than they were designed for. This has led to the need for additional power. In response, the U.S. Army launched the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) to seek a new turboshaft engine to provide 50% more power, 25% better specific fuel consumption while reducing life cycle costs.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Oct 10 at 2018 5:13 PM

2018-10-10T17:13:26-04:00

Hope this works out as planned. We depend on these weapons systems

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Oct 21 at 2018 8:04 PM

2018-10-21T20:04:48-04:00

Not so sure they’re ready!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2018 7:06 PM

2018-11-16T19:06:10-05:00

I like the increase in engine power. What are the stats on improved reliabiliity?

Response by CW4 Brian Haas made Dec 3 at 2018 10:23 AM

2018-12-03T10:23:42-05:00

These aircraft have already undergone changes that have been seamless to those that we support on the ground. Not only engine changes, but entirely new aircraft have been rolled out...all seamlessly. This is awesome news...more power is always needed, as that means more fuel, armament, and more loiter times. Oh...and power available in the mountains!!

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jul 12 at 2019 2:03 AM

2019-07-12T02:03:39-04:00

I would hate to be in one and the engine let us down...