Honeywell will supply 105 T55-GA-714A engines to support Germany’s procurement of new CH-47F aircraft, the country’s first fleet of Chinook helicopters. This sale supports Honeywell’s alignment with the compelling megatrend of the future of aviation. The order and supply of the T55 engines for the German military is managed through the office of U.S. Army Foreign Military Sales. The Honeywell T55 (formerly Lycoming; company designation LTC-4) is a turboshaft engine used on American helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft (in turboprop form) since the 1950s, and in unlimited hydroplanes since the 1980s.
“The German army’s selection of the CH-47F Chinook helicopter is a testament to the reputation of not just the CH-47F, but also the T55 engines that have powered that helicopter since the 1960s. ,Chinooks have proved to be one of the most versatile vehicles in military history, and perform missions that include troop transport, search and rescue, and special operations, among others. We are humbled to deliver the T55 engines that will support Germany’s growing military and heavy-lift capabilities” said Dave Marinick, president, Engines and Power Systems, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies.
Sixty years after delivering the first CH-47 Chinook to the U.S. Army, in August 1962, Boeing is still experiencing heavy demand for the world’s most iconic and recognizable helicopter. Every Chinook has been delivered with a pair of Honeywell’s T55 turboshaft propulsion engines. To date, more than 6,000 T55 engines have been produced, logging some 12 million hours of operation on the Boeing CH-47 Chinook and MH-47 helicopters. T55 family of military turboshaft engines began life, as its designation indicates, in 1955. To date, more than 6,000 T55 engines have been produced, logging some 12 million hours of operation on the Boeing CH-47 Chinook and MH-47 helicopters.
At its introduction, the T55 produced 1,600 shaft horsepower (SHP). Several decades and generations of development later, today’s T55 produces 5,000 SHP and powers the CH-47 Chinook to a maximum speed of 170 knots. The latest configuration T55-714C delivers 20% more power and uses 8% less fuel than its predecessor. Existing T55-714A engines can be seamlessly upgraded to the “C” version to enhance their performance. The next-generation T55 is a 6,000-shp class engine and is easier to maintain with lower operating costs and increased readiness for the warfighter. It also doubles the operating range for ‘high, hot and heavy’ missions at max payload.
