Story ID: 
New GE Medium-lifters Certified
By: Andrew Healey
Caption: The FAA has granted type certification to two new variants of GE’s CT7-8 turboshaft.
Word Count: 185
The FAA has granted type certification to two new variants of GE’s CT7-8 turboshaft. The newly certified A and E models, more powerful and more durable than earlier versions, are intended for the Sikorsky S-92, Agusta Westland EH-101/US-101 and NH Industries NH-90 helicopters. Improved versions of the UH-60 Black Hawk, for U.S. Army Special Operations forces, are also candidates for the new unit.

The engines feature improved materials in the high-pressure turbine, and share the increased-flow compressor and advanced FADEC system of the original CT7-8, which was certified in September 2000.

Delivery of CT7-8A engines for the S-92 will begin this month, and CT7-8E engines have already been shipped to AgustaWestland for flight-testing in the EH-101, a process that is scheduled to begin this summer.

GE is already well into the development of the next growth model in the family of T700/CT7 turboshafts. The CT7-8C, announced last year, will offer a further 20-percent power increase over these newly certified models.