The US Army has received two T901 engines from General Electric (GE) Aerospace for integration and testing aboard its UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
The engines were delivered to Sikorsky’s facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, as part of the country’s Improved Turbine Engine Program, which aims to develop a more durable, fuel-efficient engine for the army’s Black Hawks and Apaches.
Their Installation and instrumentation for Black Hawk ground test runs will begin in fiscal year 2025.
GE’s new power source incorporates 3D-modeling, a ceramic matrix composite, and 3D-printed technologies to produce more power with reduced weight to improve the fleet’s reliability and performance.
Its delivery comes after a successful ground test on a Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft prototype in April.
“Our team is immensely proud to announce the latest T901 deliveries to the US Army,” GE Aerospace’s T901 program director Tom Champion said.
“At every stage, these engines have demonstrated a level of performance that will undoubtedly help meet the demands of military missions for decades to come.”
The T901 Engine
GE’s T901 engine was chosen as the helicopters’ new engine in 2019 after beating out the T900 model from competitor the Advanced Turbine Engine Company.
A total of $517 million was awarded to GE for further development and manufacture of the capability.
It completed its initial 100-hour trial with the US Army in 2022, having validated performance models set up by the force’s Aviation Turbine Engines team.