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US Black Hawk Fleet Gets Performance Boost with T901 Engine in Latest Ground Runs.
Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, has begun ground runs on its UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter, now equipped with GE Aerospace’s T901 Improved Turbine Engines (ITE). This significant milestone is part of the ongoing efforts to modernize the Black Hawk fleet, enhancing its combat capabilities and performance.
The T901 engine is a vital component of Sikorsky’s strategy to modernize the Black Hawk fleet. (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)
The first-ever ground runs took place on January 29, 2025, marking a major step in Sikorsky’s collaboration with the U.S. Army to improve the Black Hawk’s operational capacity. The ground tests, which were conducted by a combined team of U.S. Army and Sikorsky pilots, assessed the engine’s performance through a series of rigorous procedures. The T901 engine successfully demonstrated its capabilities, providing a glimpse into the future potential of this upgraded aircraft.
The T901 engine is a vital component of Sikorsky’s strategy to modernize the Black Hawk fleet. The new engines will increase the helicopter’s power output by 50%, thereby enhancing its combat capabilities, including improved range and fuel efficiency. These improvements are crucial for extending the Black Hawk’s operational reach, allowing it to travel farther while carrying more troops and cargo with less fuel consumption.
Hamid Salim, vice president of Army and Air Force Systems at Sikorsky, emphasized the importance of this modernization: “Soldiers will rely on Black Hawk helicopters well into the future, and upgrades to the aircraft today will pay dividends for decades, enabling new missions such as deploying and managing launched effects. A modernized Black Hawk fleet will create new operational opportunities for the Army by extending the capabilities of a proven, fielded fleet.”
The T901 engine’s impact on the Black Hawk fleet goes beyond performance. It is also central to Sikorsky’s broader vision for the aircraft’s modernization, which includes integrating new technologies such as the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), a digital backbone, and advanced Launched Effects. These upgrades are expected to provide the U.S. Army with enhanced operational flexibility in the years to come.
The ground runs conducted by Sikorsky have verified system functionality, engine health, and overall test setup for an efficient testing process. The tests, which included idle and fly modes, were performed with the rotor brake disengaged, marking a significant milestone in the program’s progress. The successful completion of these tests sets the stage for the next steps, including hover and forward flight tests.
These tests will continue to assess the engine’s performance under various flight conditions, further validating its capabilities for future operational use. The first flight of the T901-equipped Black Hawk is expected to take place later this year.
The T901 engine is not just an upgrade to the Black Hawk’s performance—it is also a crucial component of Lockheed Martin’s 21st Century Security vision, aimed at modernizing military platforms for future needs. The integration of the T901 engine, along with digital innovations like a sustainment digital twin, is expected to improve mission readiness, reduce unscheduled maintenance, and enhance overall safety. Since 2022, Sikorsky has also worked on incorporating autonomy capabilities into the Black Hawk, reducing pilot workload and increasing safety.
As Sikorsky continues to push forward with its modernization efforts, the Black Hawk is poised to remain a key asset for the U.S. Army for decades to come. The successful integration of the T901 engine, alongside other technological advancements, will ensure that the Black Hawk can meet the demands of future missions with increased efficiency and capability.