GROUND TESTING of General Electric's growth T700/CT7 is under way at revenue-sharing partner Alfa Romeo Avio in Naples, Italy. The 1,850kW (2,500shp)-class turboshaft has already exceeded 2,000kW in testing, says Lou Bevilacqua, general manager of GE's turboprop/turboshaft department.
The growth T700 combines the core of GE's CT7-9 turboprop with a new, increased-airflow, compressor and Hamilton Standard full-authority digital engine-control. The growth engine will be used to power the NH Industries NH90 (as the T700/T6E) and Sikorsky S-92 (as the CT7-8) twin-turbine helicopters.
Alfa Romeo will provide three engines to Agusta in May 1997 for flight-testing in the first prototype NH90, says head of strategic planning and marketing, Gianfranco Maglione. The prototype, powered by the competing Rolls-Royce Turbom,ca RTM322, is being flight-tested by Eurocopter.
Agusta will re-engine the helicopter with 1,790kW T700s and conduct a test programme, which is scheduled to end in September/ October 1998. Agusta and Eurocopter will then produce reports on the engine evaluations.
Source: Flight International
