Sydney, Australia - June 23, 2011 -- The Commonwealth of Australia has selected the U.S. Navy's MH-60R Seahawk helicopter powered by GE's T700-401C engines (1,800 shaft-horsepower class) to fulfill the Australian Defence Force's requirement for 24 new generation multi-role naval aircraft.
Value of the deal, including engines, spares and the Total Logistics Support package, is approximately US$100 million. Engine deliveries are expected to start in 2013, with initial helicopter deliveries scheduled for 2014.
"Some 70% of all Australia's commercial airline fleets use GE jet engines and we also power over half of Australia's defence force fleet of ships and aircraft," said Max York, leader of GE's aviation business in Australia and New Zealand. "We are confident that the low-risk, proven capability T700 design will deliver added value for Australia's critical maritime warfare capability".
Rugged, reliable and easily maintainable, the T700 family applies advanced technologies to an experience base of 50 million hours of operation. The T700/CT7 family of turboprop and turboshaft engines currently powers 25 types of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, with more than 130 customers in 50 countries.
In addition to performing the primary mission roles of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, the MH-60R multi-role aircraft can also perform search and rescue, troop transport, medical evacuation, ship-to-ship replenishment and humanitarian relief operations.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation or www.imaginationatwork.com.au.
Joanne Woo
Corporate Communications Director, Australia & New Zealand
[email protected]
+61 409 330 731