Honeywell Gets $71.5M for CH-47F’s T55-714A Engines

T55-714 airflow cutaway(click to view full) Honeywell International Inc. in Phoenix, AZ received a $71.5 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for CH-47 T55-714A engines and fielding kits. The T55-714A engine is pgrading the existing CH-47D fleet, and is also part of the USA’s CH-47F Chinook Cargo Helicopter Modernization Program, which DID recently covered in-depth. Honeywell notes that the estimated production value of these engines from 2002-2010 is $1.1 billion if all engine options are exercised. Work on this modification will be performed in Phoenix, AZ and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2009. This was a sole source contract initiated on Feb. 13, 2003 by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-04-C-0061). The new T55-714A engines deliver 4,868 horsepower each, enabling the CH-47F to reach speeds in excess of 175 mph and transport up to 21,016 pounds. As a point of comparison, the original CH-47A’s twin T55-L7 engines generated 2,650 SHP each, and the CH-47D’s T55-L-712 turboshaft engines produced 3,750 SHP. This power increase is especially useful in hot and high-altitude conditions. Chinook-Helicopter.com has more pictures and information concerning the T55 engine family.