First two T901 improved engines delivered for UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters
The T901 engine is considered by US Army and the company a critical component of the roadmap to a modernised Black Hawk. (Photo: Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin)
The Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) is the US Army’s effort to build a 50% more powerful and 25% more fuel-efficient engine for its Black Hawk and Apache fleets.
GE Aerospace has delivered the first T901 Improved Turbine Engines (ITE) to Sikorsky for installation onto Black Hawk UH-60M helicopters as part of a major modernisation programme for the platform.
The upgrade effort is all the more important with the demise of Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) programme, where the engine had also been proposed for, and a declared intention from the US Army to buy more Black Hawks.
The engine has been designed to increase the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter’s performance, including lift capability and range, providing Army commanders more options for planning and executing missions.
The company stated that “aircraft hardware is already on hand to accept two additional T901 engines for installation into a second Black Hawk test aircraft, which will accelerate the test programme”.
Additionally, the Army’s Utility Helicopters Project Office (UHPO), Aviation Turbine Engines Project Office (ATE PO) and Sikorsky have completed several key programme milestones to prepare for this integration, notably completion of the H-60M Preliminary Design Review and Critical Design Review.
In addition, the company noted that Software Formal Qualification Testing (FQT) for the Integrated Vehicle Health Management System (IVHMS) and is on track to complete the Flight Management System FQT in the next two months.
Receipt and completion has taken place of all aircraft test instrumentation required to support the test programme along with receipt of all aircraft “A-kit” hardware required to install two T901s into the H-60M in preparation to execute ground test and flight test.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Anduril to supply loitering munitions to Ukraine with UK funding]()
Anduril to supply loitering munitions to Ukraine with UK funding
Since July 2024, the UK Government has provided more than £5.26 billion in support to Ukraine, including £3 billion in annual military aid and a £2.26 billion loan for defence spending. The latest deal will see Anduril supply Altius-600M and Altius-700M loitering munitions.
-
![Leonardo and Baykar join forces to develop uncrewed aerial systems]()
Leonardo and Baykar join forces to develop uncrewed aerial systems
Baykar’s AKINCI drone will be the first focus platform for the joint venture, with the first prototype targeted for development in 12 to 18 months.
-
![Europe will “struggle” to fill capability gaps left by US-Ukraine aid pause]()
Europe will “struggle” to fill capability gaps left by US-Ukraine aid pause
Europe’s capacity to fill the capability gaps created by the US pause on military aid to Ukraine is uncertain, according to analysts, but European defence industry leaders have stressed their readiness to meet demand.
-
![Will tomorrow’s US Air Force fleet be pilotless?]()
Will tomorrow’s US Air Force fleet be pilotless?
The US Air Force has been showing an increasing interest in adding trusted uncrewed capabilities to its aircraft inventory.
-
![Initial flight testing completed of LRASM anti-ship missile on F-35]()
Initial flight testing completed of LRASM anti-ship missile on F-35
The AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is a precision-guided, anti-ship standoff missile based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER). It is being developed to meet US requirements and in 2020 the sale was approved to Australia of up to 200 LRASM for an estimated cost of US$990 million.
