Lockheed Martin company Sikorsky has completed its inaugural ground runs with the GE Aerospace T901 Improved Turbine Engines (ITE) on UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter.
This milestone event was carried out by a joint team comprising members of the US Army and industry experts, with Army and Sikorsky pilots at the helm.
The ground tests served to validate the functionality of the T901 ITE engines, ensuring system performance, engine integrity, and the effectiveness of the testing configuration.
These evaluations are noted to be required for confirming the engine’s ability to transition from start-up to flight-ready status, encompassing idle and active modes with the rotor brake released.
The process involves a check of all systems, such as fuel, electrical, hydraulic, and flight controls, to guarantee they operate as intended.
The company notes that the successful completion of these ground tests paves the way for more complex trials, including hover and forward flight evaluations.
The T901 engine is expected to enhance the Black Hawk’s power output by 50% and boost fuel efficiency.
The Black Hawk’s design, featuring dual engines, a versatile cabin layout, and a cargo capacity, allows for operational roles, including troop transport, supply delivery, and search and rescue missions.
Sikorsky Army and Air Force Systems vice-president Hamid Salim said: “Soldiers will rely on Black Hawk helicopters well into the future, and upgrades to the aircraft today will pay dividends for decades, enabling new missions such as deploying and managing launched effects.
“A modernised Black Hawk fleet will create new operational opportunities for the Army by extending the capabilities of a proven, fielded fleet to travel farther on less fuel and with more troops and cargo.”
Sikorsky’s modernisation initiatives for the H-60M model remain concentrated on ITE, modular open systems approach/digital architecture, and launched effects.
Technological advancements, such as the introduction of a new sustainment digital twin, aim to enhance safety and mission readiness while minimising unnecessary downtime and maintenance.
In October 2024, Sikorsky secured a contract to fit the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter with its proprietary Matrix flight autonomy system.
