Boeing awarded contract for the Apache Improved Turbine Engine integration Phase II.

The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $239,590,243 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Apache Improved Turbine Engine Integration Phase II.

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AH-64E Apache Helicopters (Picture source: US Army)

The Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), formerly the Advanced Affordable Turbine Engine (AATE) program, is a United States Army project to develop a General Electric T700 replacement for the UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache, improving fuel consumption, power, durability and cost.

In addition to 3,000-shp output, the targets for AATE were a 25% reduction in fuel consumption (less than 0.347 lb/hp/h, 211 g/kW/h), a 65% improvement in power to weight (more than 6.5 hp/lb, 10.7 kW/kg), a 20% improvement in design life (more than 6000 hours and 15000 cycles), a 35% reduction in production (less than $650k per engine) and maintenance cost, and a 15% reduction in product development cost. The 3,000-shp goal for AATE is a 50% increase over the most powerful T700-701D variant, but would also require upgrades to gearbox, transmission, rotor blades, and tail rotor.

Both the ATEC and GE designs can start without an auxiliary power unit (APU), using the battery alone.The UH-60 and AH-64 are currently equipped with Honeywell GTCP 36-150 APUs. Using ITEP, the combat radius is projected to increase by 500 km (270 nmi). The hot and high service ceiling will be increased from 4,000 to 6,000 ft (1,200 to 1,800 m) at 95 °F (35 °C). Performance targets have been determined in part by operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as growing airframe weights

Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2026. Fiscal 2021 and 2022 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $18,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity