Overcoming a joint bid from Pratt and Whitney (UTX) and Honeywell (HON), General Electric (GE) secured a $517 million contract to engineer, develop and manufacture engines for the U.S Army’s next generation of helicopters under the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP).
The current model of engine, T701, also built by GE, will be replaced by the new T901 engines that will power the Army’s Boeing AH-64 Apaches and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks, both under the Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) program.
With this upcoming masterpiece, GE Aviation CEO, Tony Mathis expressed optimism that this engine could also potentially outfit the Army’s next generation reconnaissance helicopter in the Future Vertical Lift family of systems. He also added that the company is honored to be chosen by the Army to continue powering their Black Hawks and Apaches for decades to come.