Sikorsky ground-runs new Black Hawk helicopter engines
January 29, 2025
During this test, the T901 engine demonstrated its capabilities during a series of rigorous test procedures. The initial light off and ground runs were executed by a combined US Army and industry test team and operated by Army and Sikorsky pilots.
The General Electric T901 (GE3000) is a 3,000 shp-class turboshaft engine that is being developed under the United States Army’s Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP). The US Army plans to re-engine more than 1,300 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and more than 600 Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters after 2025. The engine was also intended to power the now-cancelled Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA).
The T901 engine will increase the Black Hawk’s power by 50%, while also improving fuel efficiency and forms a critical element of the roadmap to a modernized Black Hawk.
Sikorsky H-60M modernization efforts continue to be primarily focused on ITE, as well as Modular Open Systems Approach/digital backbone and Launched Effects. Digital innovations, such as a new sustainment digital twin, improve safety and mission readiness while reducing costly downtime and unscheduled maintenance. Since 2022, Sikorsky has demonstrated the ability to reduce pilot workload and increase safety by incorporating a proven autonomy capability into Black Hawk.
The ground runs on the T901 ITE engines verified system functionality, engine health and test setup for an efficient testing process. The test demonstrated the T901’s start-to-fly progression, including idle and fly modes, with the rotor brake disengaged, marking a significant step toward the program’s goal of delivering a more powerful and efficient engine for the next-generation Black Hawk.
The start-to-fly progression tests the functionality of the entire system, from the engine start sequence to the engagement of the main rotor to enable lift-off. The test team verifies that all critical systems, including fuel, electrical, hydraulic, and flight control systems, are functioning as expected.
The successful ground test set the stage for more advanced testing, including hover and forward flight tests. A first flight of the ITE-equipped Black Hawk is anticipated this year.
Hamid Salim, vice president of Army and Air Force Systems at Sikorsky said that: “Soldiers will rely on Black Hawk helicopters well into the future, and upgrades to the aircraft today will pay dividends for decades, enabling new missions such as deploying and managing launched effects. A modernized Black Hawk fleet will create new operational opportunities for the Army by extending the capabilities of a proven, fielded fleet to travel farther on less fuel and with more troops and cargo.”
