Engine Developed For Sikorsky's Ch-53K Helicopter

Four GE38 turboshaft engines continue to demonstrate maturity and durable operating capabilities at GE’s testing facility in Lynn, Massachusetts, and MTU’s testing facility in Munich, Germany, supporting Sikorsky Aircraft’s CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter program in development for the U.S. Marine Corps.  A fifth factory test engine will join the program later this year. GE has built seven engines for the CH-53K flight test program and will manufacture 13 more engines in the next seven months.

The four test engines accumulated 2,300 total engine testing hours; a total of 5,000 testing hours is expected to be completed on five test engines by late 2013. More than 28 component tests performed successfully, demonstrating compliance to environmental requirements. The GE38 engine is designed to be the most modern and technologically-advanced turboshaft engine in its class. Testing results confirm the engine’s capability to withstand tough maritime operating environments for programs such as the U.S. Navy’s Ship to Shore Connector.
 
"We are pleased with the progress of the GE38 program,” said Col. Robert Pridgen, program manager of the Marine Corps’ CH-53K helicopter. “This system is a critical enabler for the tremendous capability the CH-53K will bring to the Marines. I continue to be optimistic about the performance of this engine."
 
The GE38 is a viable candidate for a broad range of fixed-wing, marine and rotorcraft applications.

(Image provided by GE Aviation)

FMI: www.geaviation.com