GE38 Turboshaft Engine achieves record time at temperature

GE Aviation’s largest turboshaft engine — the GE38 — has completed a 300-hour cyclic durability test on the road toward qualification for the U.S. Marine Corps’ future CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. “The prototype GE38 engine completed one of the toughest engine tests we have ever run at GE, spending the longest time at maximum redline temperatures of any engine in GE history,” said Paul Acquaviva, GE Aviation’s GE38 program director. “We’re pleased with the remarkable performance retention and durability this new engine has demonstrated to date. We remain committed to delivering an engine that exceeds customer expectations.” The GE38 engine will give the CH-53K helicopter the power to carry a 27,000-pound external load over a mission radius of 110 nautical miles in hot weather conditions, nearly triple the external load carrying capacity of the service’s current CH-53E SUPER STALLION aircraft.