LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS -- GE has been selected by the United States Army to develop technologies for a 5,000-10,000-shp class turobshaft/turboprop engine for the Future Affordable Turbine Engine (FATE) program. The award is for more than $45 million Government cost share and spans five years.

The program includes a series of rig tests to validate innovative, advanced components, leading up to a full system demonstration. Developed technologies will be applicable to engines for future vertical lift aircraft, including the Joint Multi Role family of vehicles, or can be retrofitted into the existing GE turboshaft/turboprop product line.

FATE is designed to meet a series of aggressive goals, including a 35% reduction in SFC, 80% improvement in power-to-weight, 20% improvement in design life (to more than 6,000 hours), plus 45% reduction in production/maintenance costs. In addition to higher power to increase hot-and-high payload and performance, the Army is also emphasizing extended range and endurance.

"We are pleased to be selected for this important program," said Harry Nahatis. "We have several very exciting, advanced technologies that will be built into a robust, durable architecture that allows us to deliver tremendous performance at low weight while meeting aggressive cost targets."

The technologies include advanced aerodynamics and the latest cooling configurations with improved materials. Incorporating these technologies into a large turboshaft engine will improve the payload capability, range and operating cost for future vertical lift aircraft.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.