Black Hawk Program Receives Improved Turbine Engine

By Courtesy AssetJuly 1, 2024

T901 Engine Delivery Speaker
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Aviation Turbine Engines Deputy Project Manager Mr. Bob Sheibley highlighted the significance of T901-GE-900 engine deliveries during remarks to Army, GE Aerospace, and Sikorsky representatives in West Palm Beach, Florida on Jun. 27. Sikorsky Photo (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL
T901 Engine Delivery Unveiling
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Army successfully delivered two T901-GE-900 (T901) flight test engines to Sikorsky for the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter integration. Sikorsky photo. (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL
T901 Engine Delivery group photo
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army, GE Aerospace, and Sikorsky representatives stand beside the two T901-GE-900 (T901) engines delivered for Black Hawk integration in West Palm Beach, Florida on Jun. 27. Sikorsky Photo. (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL

Redstone Arsenal, Ala.: On 27 June the Army’s Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) achieved another significant milestone with the delivery of two General Electric Aerospace (GE) T901-GE-900 (T901) flight test engines for the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter. Delivering these engines is a critical step in the Army’s effort to replace the GE T700 engine currently used on all UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. Black Hawk manufacturer, Sikorsky, will begin installing and instrumenting the engines to prepare for ground test runs in fiscal year 2025.

Significance of Delivery for the T901 Program of Record

In October 2023 the Army delivered two flight test engines to the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft competitive prototype effort, marking the first acceptance of the T901 engine into the Army’s inventory. Sikorsky then integrated the T901 into its Raider-X aircraft and conducted ground runs. The ground runs served as an opportunity to mitigate risk for Black Hawk integration and testing. The Army and GE Aerospace continue to make progress towards a Preliminary Flight Rating and remains on track to support Black Hawk ground test runs next year and flight qualification testing the following year.

Integration and Increased Capability for Black Hawks

The T901 is a 3,000-shaft horsepower (shp) engine designed to fit within the current UH-60M engine compartment footprint. It will improve Black Hawk combat capabilities by providing increased range and loiter times, reduced fuel consumption, and decreased logistical burden. It uses additive manufacturing, ceramic matrix composites, and traditionally manufactured components to generate a 1,000 shp increase in power from the GE T700 while remaining approximately the same size and weight.

The T901 is a modernized combat multiplier that will expand Army Aviation capabilities by enabling the utility helicopter fleet to dominate in large-scale combat operations.

ITEP is part of the Aviation Turbine Engines Project Office (ATE PO), one of nine Program Executive Office, Aviation project offices. Located at Redstone Arsenal, Ala. The ATE PO is responsible for centrally managing the Army’s rotary wing turbine engine and electrical power capability for U.S. Army Aviation and coalition partners.