GE Aerospace's T901 engine has achieved a Preliminary Flight Rating (PFR) from the U.S. Army, a key airworthiness milestone certifying the engine is safe for continued qualification flight testing. This new-generation powerplant is part of the Army's Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), designed to re-engine its fleet of AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
The T901 is a 3,000 shaft-horsepower engine developed to replace the long-serving T700. It is designed to provide a 50 percent increase in power and 25 percent better fuel consumption, significantly improving the aircraft's performance in high-altitude and hot conditions. This milestone was achieved after more than 2,600 hours of testing in test cells and over 90 hours of aircraft ground and flight time.