Nichols Martin
A pair of Honeywell-made turboshaft engines powered a new U.S. Army-commissioned Future Vertical Lift aircraft during a test in late March.
The T55 engines helped the Sikorsky-Boeing-made SB-1 Defiant demonstrator perform the initial flight, supporting the Army’s goal of sustaining a modern aviation fleet, Honeywell said Monday. The helicopter’s maiden flight took place in March at a Florida-based facility.
The tested version of the engine is the same one powering the Chinook helicopter. The T55’s latest iteration is still under development and is designed to feature new technology for boosted reliability, availability and cost savings.
John Russo, senior product director for military turboshaft engines at Honeywell Aerospace, said the engine’s augmented compressor section would work to reduce fuel burn, boost flight range and support aircraft readiness.
The Future Vertical Lift program would consist of five helicopters designed to accommodate a shared suite of equipment.
