LYNN, Mass., Jan. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. company GE Aviation is leveraging the technology and performance of its GE38 aircraft engine to develop a marine variant of the product.
The marine version of the GE38 is identical to its aircraft engine except for some control schedules in the Full Authority Digital Engine Controls software. GE said it is undergoing development testing.
GE is also looking to leverage the technology to offer the U.S. Navy maintenance commonality, smaller logistics footprint, as well as lower operating and support costs.
GE Aviation says the low-risk GE38 has ideal performance specifications for the Navy's Ship-to-Shore Connector program and electric power generation for DDG-51-class destroyers.
The aviation version of the system has been selected to power the Sikorsky CH-53K helicopter, which is in development for the U.S. Marine Corps.
Compared to its T64 turboshaft engine predecessor, the GE38 provides 57 percent more power within the same envelope, 18 percent better fuel consumption and has 63 percent fewer parts, the company said.
