Honeywell has reached a big milestone with the U.S. Military by being the primary engine to check (FETT) as a part of its Cooperative Analysis and Growth Settlement (CRADA) for the next-generation engine for Chinook helicopters. The CRADA program and testing of the T55-714C engine is deliberate over a two-year interval to validate the advantages and ease of integration of the brand new engine variant onto the Chinook platform. It will enable the U.S. Military to judge the capabilities of the most recent rendition of Honeywell’s battle-proven T55 engine. Testing of the primary T55-GA-714C engine was efficiently initiated at Honeywell’s Phoenix take a look at amenities in November to confirm the design and set up the efficiency benchmark in preparation for the engine set up on the flight take a look at plane. That is a vital subsequent step for the U.S. Military to check the brand new T55-GA-714C engine functionality for its newest CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
“We’re proud to associate with the U.S. Military on the CRADA program for the next-generation T55-GA-714C engine,” stated Steven Williams, vp, Protection Aftermarket, Honeywell Aerospace. “We can show the facility, functionality and reliability of the upgraded engine to the U.S. Military. Moreover, we’re on observe and on schedule to ship the brand new engines and meet the U.S. Military’s wants.”
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“First engine to check is a big achievement for this system and is the fruits of detailed design work, element manufacturing, system integration and validation. Now all of the engineering is coming to life within the rigorous testing of this enhanced engine for the U.S. Military,” stated Dave Marinick, president, Engines and Energy Techniques, Honeywell Aerospace. “This engine is a pure incremental complement for the Chinook, conserving the platform related for the subsequent technology of warfighters. We’re assured that our 714C engine will exceed the expectations of the U.S. Military.”
In 2020, Honeywell gained a aggressive restore and overhaul contract for the T55. As well as, Honeywell accomplished a brand new, world-class engine restore and overhaul facility in Phoenix. That transfer allowed the restore and overhaul work on the T55-GA-714A engine to be fulfilled in the identical location as new engine manufacturing. The T55 heart of excellence gives for a shared workforce, amenities and engineering assets between each engine strains and delivers as much as 20 engines per 30 days to the U.S. Military, overseas army and industrial prospects. Honeywell first delivered the T55 engine to the U.S. Military in 1961 at 2,200 shaft horsepower on the CH-47A helicopter. Since that point, the engine’s energy has almost tripled to six,000 shaft horsepower. Every efficiency enhance on the T55 is accompanied by decreased gasoline burn, elevated reliability and decreased upkeep hours. The T55 engine is the world chief in powering heavy elevate helicopters. Over 900 CH-47 helicopters are operated right this moment by numerous militaries around the globe.
With 6,000 horsepower, Honeywell’s upgraded engine is 23% extra highly effective and consumes 8% much less gasoline than the present T55, even in probably the most demanding working situations. New modifications additionally make the next-generation T55 simpler to keep up with decrease working prices, delivering elevated readiness for the warfighter. The T55-GA-714C engine is particularly designed for next-generation army operators and can enhance the Chinook helicopter’s means to elevate troops and heavy cargo for the U.S. Military. As a result of the engine is predicated carefully on the T55 model presently in use, minimal airframe modifications are required — the identical consumption, exhaust and engine airframe mounts are used. This design gives the U.S. Military with a serious engine enchancment with out the necessity to retrain their upkeep and operational employees or undertake main plane adjustments.