HTS7500 Turboshaft Engine Selected for Military Helicopter Program

Honeywell has gained some recognition with the selection of its newest turboshaft engine program, the HTS7500.

The engine will power a joint Lockheed Martin Sikorsky-Boeing program developing the DEFIANT X helicopter in the running for the U.S. Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft competition.If selected, the Defiant will be the fastest assault helicopter in Army inventory, besting the Black Hawk in range and speed. 

The HTS7500 boasts over 7,000 shaft horsepower, a substantial improvement over its military helicopter predecessor, the T55. While a stalwart, trustworthy power plant for military helicopters for 70 years, the T55 has gone as far as it can in modernization, with no more headroom for improvement to the basic design. The HTS7500 builds on the best points of the T55, with enhancements across the board, from a nearly 25% reduction in fuel consumption, increased reliability, lighter weight, and lower costs throughout its lifecycle. Like any new military ecosystem worth its salt, the HTS7500 includes all the digital control and electronic systems to allow preemptive maintenance and engine health. 

"This engine builds upon the battle-proven architecture of the T55, but the HTS7500 takes engine performance, reliability and efficiency to a whole new level," said Dave Marinick, president, Engines and Power Systems, Honeywell Aerospace. "The engine is structurally similar, which is great for maintainers in the field because they can use current tools and training. However, when it comes to performance, the HTS7500 is 42% more powerful than the T55-GA-714A and has the lowest total weight compared to other engines in its horsepower class."

"We're committed to the U.S. Army's focus on modernization and multidomain operations, and the selection of Honeywell's latest engine technology for the Defiant X is proof of that commitment," said Ricky Freeman, defense and space president, at Honeywell Aerospace. "The HTS7500 checks all the right boxes for the Lockheed Martin Sikorsky-Boeing team and the Army, and we are excited to play a part in the future of vertical lift for our Army customer and Team Defiant."

FMI: www.honeywell.com