Engines

GE begins testing on NextGen 3000 shaft horsepower T901 engine for US Army’s Black Hawk, Apache and FARA

Testing of the first engine is the start of a multi-year test campaign to reach full Army qualification.
GE has upgraded three test cells in Lynn to efficiently complete the comprehensive T901 EMD engine test program.

The First Engine to Test milestone is being performed in a recently upgraded test cell at GE’s Lynn, Mass., facility.

GE Aviation has begun the testing on the next-generation rotorcraft engine, the first T901-GE-900 that will power the U.S. Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk, AH-64 Apache, and Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) aircraft in the future. The U.S Army had selected GE’s T901 engines for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the Improved Turbine Engine (ITE) program to re-engine its Apache and Black Hawk fleets back in 2019. The Army also selected the 3,000-shaft horsepower T901 for the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program.

GE T901 Program Director Tom Champion said, “We’re excited to get testing started on this engine. It’s the biggest milestone to date in the ITE program and the result of the strong collaboration between the GE and U.S. Army teams. The early testing data we’ve gathered indicates the engine is performing in line with our expectations and Army requirements.”

Compared to its predecessor, the GE T700, the T901’s 50 percent power increase restores aircraft performance, while has 25 percent better specific fuel consumption reduces fuel usage and carbon emissions. Increased component durability will lower life cycle costs.

The First Engine to Test milestone is being performed in a recently upgraded test cell at GE’s Lynn, Mass., facility. GE has upgraded three test cells in Lynn to efficiently complete the comprehensive T901 EMD engine test program. The test cell upgrades include systems to absorb the increased power and allow no-load operation of the engine, improved instrumentation capability, and upgraded test controls. T901 EMD engine testing will also be performed at GE’s Evendale, Ohio, facility, as well as government facilities.  

GE’s use of advanced materials pioneered through GE’s commercial engine lines, including 3D-printed (additive) manufactured parts and ceramic matrix composites, are key technologies enabling the T901’s performance. The T901 also maintains the same aircraft mounting and installation envelope as the T700.

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Testing of the first engine is the start of a multi-year test campaign to reach full Army qualification. During the remainder of testing for the first engine, the integrated test team will perform a number of simulated flight conditions to collect performance data of the highly instrumented test engine.