|
Other SAE Magazines Sites
|
|
Technology update
New military helicopter engine program
-
General Electric Co. and United Technologies Corp. (UTC) have signed a memorandum of understanding for a new military helicopter engine program. Both companies have agreed to begin negotiating a business venture that will compete for the U.S. Army's Common Engine Program (CEP). This program will be applied to growth applications of the Black Hawk, Apache, and Seahawk helicopters that are currently powered by a common GE T700 engine. Goals for the program include 25% better fuel economy, 60% power-to-weight improvement, and a 20% reduction in operating and support costs. Under the CEP, the U.S. Army is planning to develop an advanced-technology engine for a modernized version of the Black Hawk.
To comply with the operational requirements set forth by the Black Hawk modernization program, manufacturers must develop a new centerline engine that meets CEP goals of low fuel consumption, high power, and low weight, which are also required for the future versions of the U.S. Army Apache and U.S. Navy Seahawk helicopters. This would create a common, next-generation propulsion system across three platforms.
According to UTC, the venture is expected to reflect a 60/40 GE/Pratt & Whitney ownership and work-split structure. The team anticipates that the U.S. Army will initiate a CEP competition in FY 2000 or 2001. To prepare for the competition, both companies are expected to begin pre-development work this year. The team plans to offer the U.S. Army a CEP engine that will incorporate the DoD-sponsored JTAGG/IHPTET technology and the complementary technologies of both companies. UTC believes this will allow the team to meet the CEP engine performance goals with the most cost-effective technology and the lowest-risk program.
Frank Bokulich
Aerospace Engineering July 2000
|
|
|
