US Army predicts two-year delay in UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter upgrade due to T901 engine production problems

GE Aerospace is developing the T901 engine for the Black Hawk, Apache and next-generation attack helicopters. Because of production problems, the Black Hawk upgrade has been delayed by two years.

Here's What We Know

The T901 powerplant is intended to replace the T700 engines that have been used in Black Hawk and Apache helicopters since the 1970s. The coronavirus pandemic and problems with production of new components under the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) led to a delay in the development of the new engines.

At the moment, only two T901s exist. The first engine has already been tested, while the second is in a test chamber. This was stated by Major General Robert Barrie, who holds the position of executive director of the Army Aviation Programme.

The US Army and GE Aerospace are making progress on the new propulsion system. However, problems are affecting two projects at once. For example, the US Army is unable to fit T901 to prototype next-generation FARA helicopters on time and is unable to replace old engines on the Apache and Black Hawk on schedule.

Small-scale production of the T901 was originally scheduled to start in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 (FY). According to the US Army's FY2024 budget documents, the production launch has been moved to the third quarter of FY2026, which corresponds to the second quarter of calendar year 2026.

Full-scale production will not begin until the third quarter of FY2028, six months later than planned. This means that the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, which will receive the new engine first, will not reach initial operational capability by the end of FY2027.

The US Army wants to receive the two engines from GE Aerospace in mid-autumn this year. This means that flight tests of the new generation helicopters will not take place until the fourth quarter of FY2024. Replacement of the T700 with the T901 in the UH-60 Black Hawk will not begin until the FARA project moves forward. Apache helicopters will receive the new engine even later.

The new propulsion system will be able to cut fuel consumption by 25% and increase helicopter power by 50%. The use of more durable materials will reduce the life-cycle cost of the new engine.

Source: Defence News