As Apache and Black Hawk helicopters add capabilities and associated weight, they are also required to perform at higher and hotter conditions than they were designed for. This challenge has led to the need for additional power. In response, the U.S. Army launched the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) to develop a new turboshaft engine to provide 50% more power and 25% better specific fuel consumption while reducing life cycle costs.
Inspired by four decades of U.S. Army rotorcraft experience, GE Aviation responded to this need by designing the new T901, which was selected as the winner of the ITEP program in February 2019. As the ITEP’s selected engine, the T901 will also be used in the U.S. Army’s FARA program, which develops advanced aircraft to address the Army’s scout helicopter requirements. This application requires integrating the T901 into the two competing airframes: the Bell 360 Invictus and the Sikorsky Raider X.
GE Aviation with GE Research are developing the next generation of turboshaft engine controls for the T901.
GE Research is leveraging decades of experience with control systems and optimization theory to support GE Aviation through the development of advanced controls to ensure that performance requirements are met or exceeded. The control strategies being developed by the joint team will enable the T901 to provide responsive and robust performance while operating in the demanding conditions required by the U.S. Army.
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Our Expertise
Capabilities utilized for Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) / Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) Program project
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Model-Based Controls
Developing advanced multi-variable model-based control algorithms that leverage online models to provide stability and improve transient performance and operability
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Estimation & Modeling
Developing novel models for real-time use in controls, estimation and optimization
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