Additive manufacturing has a new turboprop engine as GE Aviation

GE Aviation announced today its new turboprop engine. The engine has been selected by Textron Airlines to power its new single-engine turboprop (SETP). Textron Aviation and GE today announced the aircraft-engine joint project at the National Business Aviation Association's annual show.

The 1300-axis horsepower turboprop is GE's first model in a line of engines for the GM and business aviation markets in the 850-1,600-horsepower range. The new engine features an industry-leading total pressure ratio (OPR) of 16:1, which is 20% less than a competitive engine for an engine with an average power of 4000-6000 flight hours. % fuel, 10% increase in cruise power and the same level of performance retention.

“Our single-engine turboprop will be the best combination of a new aircraft and a new engine design. Selecting GE as a partner to provide the engine reflects our perfect fit and our ability to provide this level to our customers and "The best commitment to the best performance of the engine." Christi Tannahill, senior vice president of turboprop and interior design at Textron, said, "With the latest technology, we want our single-engine turboprop to be in cabin size, cost of ownership, performance. Win in key areas such as fuel economy."

The new design and manufacturing technology is attributed to GE's latest military and civilian engine projects, such as the 3D compressor aerodynamic design from the latest civilian engine technology, from the additive manufacturing technology of the best-selling CFM LEAP turbofan engine. . The adoption of these new technologies has enabled GE's advanced turboprop engines to be extended by 30% over existing engines.

“In the past five years, GE has conducted proactive research and design studies on the turboprop market to ensure that we identify and integrate the best civilian and next generation for business jet customers with the lowest cost and lowest risk. Military technology," said Brad Mottier, vice president and general manager of GE Aviation Group and Business and General Aviation and Integrated Systems. “We are honored to be selected by Textron Aviation’s latest turboprop project and expect our new turboprop engine to be used in more aircraft in the next few years.”

Textron's new single-engine turboprop powered by GE engines is expected to have a range of more than 1,500 nautical miles and a speed of more than 280 knots. Key features of GE's new turboprop engine include:

Durable, based on the T700/CT7 turboshaft engine unit structure, with better performance at lower operating costs

· All titanium, 3D aerodynamic compressor design brings lighter weight and more efficient dynamic characteristics.

· Drawing on the T700/CT7's hundreds of millions of flight hours and more than 5 million flight hours of operating experience in hot and harsh environments, cooled turbine blades for greater thrust and higher fuel efficiency.

• Additive manufacturing process reduces component weight and improves performance and durability.

Integrated electronic propulsion control optimizes single-pole operation for engine and propeller control.

GE is expected to conduct a new turboprop engine detailed design assessment (DDR) in 2017, followed by the first full-scale engine test in 2018. GE announced in September that the development, testing and production of the new turboprop will take place at GE Aviation's new Turbo Center of Excellence in Europe. The new facility has invested more than $400 million and will eventually provide 500-1,000 new jobs.

GE Aviation will develop more turboprop engines based on the existing expertise of the current Czech turboprop engine project and the original technology used in its military and civilian jet engine projects. For the regional aircraft market, GE will continue to develop new 5000-horsepower horsepower with the new GE38 turboshaft military helicopter engine (for the US Navy CH53-K hoist helicopter) and GE's advanced technology for military-to-civilian jet engines. Turboprop engine.

GE Aviation has the largest engine development program in the jet propulsion system industry, investing more than $2 billion annually in research and development.