GE38 Engine Testing Remains on Schedule

GE has reported that the GE38 turboshaft engine selected by Sikorsky for the US Marine Corps’ CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter is continuing to 'demonstrate maturity and durable operating capabilities' during the testing programme. The company made the announcement 27 August 2012.

Testing is being carried out at GE's Lynn, Massachusetts, facility as well as MTU's Munich, Germany, facility. Four engines have been tested so far, and a fifth factory test engine will join the programme later this year. GE has also built seven engines for the CH-53K flight test programme, with the 13 remaining engines to be manufactured during the next seven months. 

According to GE, to date the four test engines have accumulated 2,300 total engine hours; a total of 5,000 hours will be logged on the five test engines by late 2013. Also, to date over 28 component tests demonstrating compliance to environmental requirements have been successfully performed. 

The GE38 engine is designed to be ‘the most modern and technologically advanced turboshaft engine in its class’. Testing to date ‘confirms the engine's capability to withstand tough maritime operating environments for programmes such as the United States Navy's Ship to Shore Connector’.