February 5, 2003 -- BANGALORE, India - GE's T700 helicopter engine is well suited to power India's new multipurpose helicopter.
The Indian Air Force is considering an order for up to 20 AgustaWestland EH101 helicopters for use in a variety of demanding missions. The three-engine helicopter will be required to meet stringent altitude requirements and currently, the T700 engine is the only fully qualified engine to operate above 15,000 ft on the EH101 application.
"GE's T700 engine is the most thoroughly proven helicopter engine in the world," said Ed Birtwell, general manager, T700/CT7 project for GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE). "The T700 engine's extensive operational experience in military helicopters and its proven success in a variety of difficult missions make it well suited for India's helicopter needs."
The T700/T6A1 is a military variant of the commercial CT7-6 baseline engine for EH101 helicopters. This engine, qualified in 2001, incorporates the latest technology based on extensive in service experience. Currently, the T700/T6A and /T6A1 engines, developed and manufactured by GEAE and FiatAvio, power Italy's naval EH101 MMI helicopter, which entered service in 2000 and the Canadian Cormorant helicopter, which entered service in 2001 replacing Canada's aging fleet of S-61 Labradors.
The T700/T6A1 engine is qualified to fly at 22,000 feet, and will meet the demanding requirements of the India Army Mission. The General Electric T700/T6A1 engine provides the altitude and power solution for the Indian Air Force EH101.
The T700/CT7 engine family provides higher reliability and reduced maintainability compared with other engines in its shaft horsepower class. The T700/CT7 family has proven itself in battle, extreme environments, and in commercial revenue service, amassing more than 40 million engine flight hours.
With an installed base of more than 12,000 engines, GE's T700/CT7 turboshaft and turboprop engines are the most widely used engines in their class. The engines currently power 19 types of civil and military helicopters, as well as regional airliners, military transports, and multipurpose aircraft. In 23 years of operational service, more than 130 customers have accumulated more than 40 million flight hours using T700/CT7 engines.
GE Aircraft Engines, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is the world's leading manufacturer of jet engines for civil and military aircraft, including engines produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma of France and GE. GEAE also manufactures gas turbines, derived from its highly successful jet engine programs, for marine and industrial applications. In addition, GEAE provides comprehensive maintenance support, through its GE Engine Services operation, for GE and non-GE jet engines in service throughout the world. Visit GEAE online at: http://www.geae.com.
Deb Case
GE Aviation
[email protected]
1-513-243-0094
1-859-380-8463