Engine Delivers More Power, Improves Fuel Efficiency
The United Kingdom's Ministry of
Defense (MOD) will purchase the Honeywell 55-L-714A engine and
spares, valued at approximately $185 million, to retrofit their
fleet of Chinook helicopters. Honeywell announced the move
Wednesday.
"Beginning next year, Honeywell will begin fitting U.K. Chinooks
with its upgraded 55-L-714A engine that increases power by 17%,
increases maintenance intervals and reduces fuel consumption by
nearly 5 percent," said Garrett Mikita, President, Defense &
Space, Honeywell Aerospace. "The T55 has proven itself in the field
for 40 years. The robust engine design and continual investment in
improvements have made the T55 a workhorse in desert operations,
where even the most abrasive operating environments of both sand
and heat could easily rob a lesser turbine engine of its ability to
deliver power in critical combat situations."
Honeywell has delivered more than 5,300 T55 engines. The T55
fleet has accumulated more than seven million hours of operation
around the globe, powering helicopters in military operations since
the 1960s. In addition to the U.K. Royal Air Force (RAF) Chinooks,
the Honeywell T55 engines are on Chinooks in the U.S. Army, Royal
Netherlands Air Force and other fleets worldwide.
"Honeywell and the U.K. MOD have worked together for more than
20 years," said Mikita. "We have supported the U.K. MOD's engine
and depot needs since they acquired a Chinook fleet."
"The fleet fit 714 upgrade is an essential and very welcome step
change in U.K. Chinook capability," said Group Captain Andy Taylor,
Station Commander at RAF Odiham. "It will increase the lift
capacity of our aircraft in Afghanistan, broaden safety margins
when the aircraft is heavy, reduce operating costs and equip the
aircraft through to its out of service date. Our early appreciation
of what the engine will offer is enormously positive and I am
confident that the proven joint collaboration between RAF Odiham,
MOD, Helicopter Engines Project Team and industry will deliver this
vital upgrade in record time."
RAF Chinook
"Chinook is the aircraft of choice in Afghanistan for heavy lift
and is providing a pivotal role in supporting the Front Line," said
Pete Worrall, the U.K.'s Director of Helicopters. "With the fleet
wide introduction of the 714 engine we can now follow the USA's
success and gain the advantage of significantly more lift capacity
whilst increasing fuel efficiency."
The U.K. MOD will acquire the new helicopter engines in the next
five years. The Royal Air Force will operate the fleet, which will
be upgraded by Vector Aerospace at Fleetlands, Gosport.