Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has selected Honeywell T55-GA-714A turbo shaft engines to power the HH-47 helicopter proposed for the U.S. Air Force Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR-X) program.

"The Combat Search and Rescue program is an important initiative to flight crews and service people around the world," said Mike Tkach, vice president of Boeing Rotorcraft Systems. "Honeywell engines on the HH-47 will provide the best possible performance for our aircraft to meet critical mission requirements."

CSAR-X is a U.S. Air Force initiative to procure more capable and survivable aircraft able to recover isolated personnel from hostile or denied territory. The tandem rotor, heavy lift, high altitude HH-47 is based on the CH/MH-47 Chinook tandem rotor transport helicopter, with performance capabilities that have been widely demonstrated in the ongoing war on terrorism and in numerous U.S. and international humanitarian relief operations.

"Honeywell's T55 engine has a proud heritage on the CH-47 and MH-47 aircraft. We are currently delivering more than 200 engines per year to the U.S. Army to upgrade their fleet," said Serge Tarazi, program director for Honeywell's Heavy Lift Helicopters. "The CSAR-X mission is a natural extension for both the engine and the helicopter."

The engines for the HH-47 are identical to the engines currently used on the Chinook helicopter with the rating points matched to the Air Force mission. The battle-tested engines, which are built at Honeywell's facility in Phoenix, Ariz., have been proven in the sand, heat and high altitude of Iraq and Afghanistan. Additional system features include inlet particle separators for longer life and an infrared suppressor for reduced aircraft signature.