GE Aerospace's T901 engine wins U.S. Army clearance for flight testing
GE•GE•GE•GE•GE Aerospace’s T901 engine earned its Preliminary Flight Rating in June 2026, clearing it for formal qualification flight testing. Developed for Black Hawk and Apache helicopters, it delivers 50% more power than its T700 predecessor, and Army and Sikorsky collaboration shortened the qualification schedule by 12 months and cut costs by about $75 million.
GE Aerospace said its T901 engine earned its Preliminary Flight Rating in June 2026, clearing it for formal qualification flight testing. Developed for the Army’s Black Hawk and Apache helicopters, the engine delivers 50% more power than the T700 predecessor with improved fuel efficiency.
Testing exceeded 2,900 factory-engine hours, reaching altitudes of 17,000 feet and airspeeds of 150 knots. Collaboration with the Army and Sikorsky shortened the qualification schedule by 12 months and reduced costs by approximately $75 million. Advanced manufacturing reduced the engine’s front frame from about 200 parts to one.
