Propulsion
The T901 Turboshaft Engine
Selected by the U.S. Army to enhance the power and performance the AH-64 and UH-60 fleets as well as the designated power plant for the next generation Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA).
As Apache and Black Hawk helicopters add capabilities and associated weight, they are also required to perform at higher and hotter conditions than originally designed. This led to the need for increased power over the previous T700 engine. In response, GE developed the T901 by building on GE’s unparalleled experience and record with the U.S. Army’s Apache and Black Hawk helicopters. The T901 engine provides 50% more power 25% better specific fuel consumption, and reduced life cycle costs -with fewer parts, a simpler design, and proven, reliable technology.
T901 will power the U.S. Army's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA)
50
%
More power
25
%
Better specific fuel consumption
40
Yrs
AH-64 and UH-60 Experience
SIMPLE
Reliable Fix-Forward Design
The future is simple
Designing the future demands that you understand the past.
Built for both today and tomorrow’s Army rotorcraft helicopters, the T901 is more powerful, more efficient, and more durable at a lower cost. Created to succeed the legendary T700, the T901 leverages four decades of operational experience to give soldiers the capability they need and the reliability they demand. The T901 will be ready to power the heavier and more capable Apache and Black Hawk fleets of tomorrow as well as the next generation of Army rotorcraft developed through the FARA program. Inspired by experience, GE helps design the future of U.S. Army aviation
Do more with less
Single-Spool Core
When the U.S. Army asked GE to create a more powerful, efficient, and durable engine we focused on the warfighters and maintainers by minimizing complexity with the proven single-spool core engine architecture. Proven technological advancements enable the T901 to meet the challenging ITEP performance requirements without sacrificing maintainability. The modular architecture of the T901 reduces complexity, resulting in lower weight and increased reliability for the warfighter. The single spool architecture provides superior growth capability as proven by the T700 single spool core design, which has grown power by 100%.
Powerful performance
In the extreme conditions of war, operating in a hot and high-altitude environment with sand and dust clouds while under fire, you need reliable power to get in, complete the mission, and get out fast. The T901 engine’s superior power and responsiveness provides that performance on demand. Warfighters will have a significantly better capability with T901 powered Apache and Black Hawk helicopters. Improvements include:
- Longer range to improve tactical reach
- More payload to mass combat power faster
- Bettertime on station
- Enhanced maneuverability to improve survivability
- Improved low airspeed operation to expand pilot tactical options and safety margin
Black Hawk
6,000 feet / 95 degrees F
Apache
6,000 feet / 95 degrees F
Unmatched innovation
Developed with the most advanced and proven 21st century aviation innovations, GE’s T901 engine benefits from GE’s investment in both military and commercial technologies, allowing war fighters to focus on what’s important—mission accomplished.
Ceramics Matrix Composites (CMCs)
The T901 engines use of CMCs enables the engine to produce more power with less weight. Higher temperature capability means more engine airflow can go towards powering the helicopter.
- Less cooling
- More power
- Betterspecific fuel consumption
3D Aerodynamic Design Tools
The T901 is designed using GE's industry-leading 3D aerodynamics design tools validated in the Advanced Affordable Turbine Engine (AATE), Future Affordable Turbine Engine (FATE), and Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) prototype engine programs. This design practice leads to:
- Better component efficiency
- Increased pressure ratio
- Balanced stageloading
These improvements contribute to the T901 exceeding T700 climb requirements by 6000 feet anddelivers performance to meet the 95 degree F heat requirements.
Additive Manufacturing
The T901 directly benefits from GE's industry-leading additive manufacturing capabilities. This technology enables game changing system solutions which result in improved performance with significantly fewer parts, maximizing reliability while reducing weight and cost.
Advanced Cooling Technologies
GE's next generation of engine cooling capabilities maximize T901 performance. These technologies allow the engineto reduce the amount of cooling air required to maintain the same engine temperature, delivering more power and significantly improved fuel efficiency. The results:
- Lower metal temperatures
- Less cooling air required
- Better engine durability
- Improved fuel economy
- Lower emissions
- Better acceleration
Advanced Cooling Technologies
GE's next generation of engine cooling capabilities maximize T901 performance. These technologies allow the engineto reduce the amount of cooling air required to maintain the same engine temperature, delivering more power and significantly improved fuel efficiency. The results:
- Lower metal temperatures
- Less cooling air required
- Better engine durability
- Improved fuel economy
- Lower emissions
- Better acceleration
Sand Tolerance Technologies
The Army's Apache and Black Hawk helicopters operate in the world's harshest conditions. For nearly 40 years GE engines have supported keeping them in the fight. Five million hours of desert operations experience has influenced the T901 Inlet Particle Separator (IPS), allowing the U.S. Army to fly with confidence in the harshest conditions. The new IPS reduces sand ingestion and pressure loss, decreases wear on turbomachinery components, and provides significant time-on-wing improvement. The T901 includes multiple sand-tolerant design features, including:
- Improved erosion prevention techniques
- Ruggedized compressor
- Advanced Inlet Particle Separator
- Informed cooling hole sizing
Seamless aircraft integration
GE's experience with Apache and Black Hawk engine integration is unsurpassed. GE's expertise and established infrastructure has lowered risk to the U.S. Army through seamless integration of the T901 engine into various aircraft.
- 100% growth within same engine physical interfaces over 6 different T700 models on Apache and Black Hawk
- Intimate knowledge of Apache and Black Hawk systems and functions
- History of integration experience to lower aircraft program risk
