The long running Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) competition has come to a close with incumbent GE Aviation claiming victory over a Honeywell/Pratt & Whitney team. The Army selected GE Aviation as the winner of the ITEP competition awarding an initial $517 million contract to complete engineering and manufacturing development work on its T901-GE-900 engine.
The company beat a rival bid from a team of Honeywell and Pratt & Whitney, working as the Advanced Turbine Engine Company (ATEC). ATEC developed its HPW3000 engine for this effort.
This U.S. Army program sought a drop-in replacement engine for Boeing AH-64 Apaches and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks that would be smaller, cheaper, and more powerful. The US Army wants an engine that offers 50 percent more power, 25 percent lower fuel burn, and a 20 percent longer life. A 20-35 percent cut in maintenance and production costs is another target.
In addition to the re-engine requirements, the new engine will likely be utilized in the Future Vertical Lift program, which aims to develop a next generation reconnaissance helicopter.
GE has been the incumbent manufacturer of engines for the Apache and Blackhawk helicopters with its T700.
A military history enthusiast, Richard began his career at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet became central to defense research, he helped design the company’s Forecast Intelligence Center and now coordinates the FI Market Recap newsletters for clients. He also manages two blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, which covers defense systems and international security issues, and Flight Plan, focused on commercial aviation and space systems.
For more than 30 years, Richard has authored Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International), providing detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database tracking all companies involved in programs covered by the FI library. Richard currently serves as Manager of the Information Services Group (ISG), which develops outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.
