Commercial CT7-8 Engine For Military Applications

GB Aircraft Engines, jointly with Alfa Romeo Avio, Fiat Avio and Hamiliton Standard, is currently developing and certifying, with the FAA and JAA, a 2400 SHP class growth T700 family engine, the CT7-8, for commercial use on the Sikorsky S-92IU helicopter. This contractor funded commercial program offers a unique opportunity for the U.S. military to qualify a growth engine at a fraction of the cost normally associated with an engine development program by basing the qualification on the ongoing FAA certification effort. Military funding is required only for the effort associated with unique military requirements. The use of a contractor funded commercial program to obtain a military derivative is the logical progression from the practice of the private sector of using Military development programs to minimize the cost of derivative civil engines as was done concurrently for the first time with the LHTEC T800/CTS800. This now transfers the majority of the technical and financial responsibility to the engine manufacturer who must reconcile the potential risks of integration of the Military applications with the inherent economic benefits of an additional market for the new engine.