GE Aerospace announced on Tuesday that its CT7-2E1 turboshaft engine has accumulated more than 500,000 flight hours in service. This specific engine variant serves as the powerplant for Leonardo’s AW149 and AW189 helicopter fleets, which are currently utilized globally for offshore transport, passenger transit, and search-and-rescue operations.
The CT7-2E1 is a derivative of the established CT7/T700 engine family. While the broader engine family has logged a combined total of over 100 million flight hours across all military and commercial variants, the 2E1 is specifically optimized for the “super medium” helicopter class. The accumulated flight time indicates steady utilization of the Leonardo airframes in varied operating environments, ranging from maritime conditions to hot-and-high altitude zones.
According to the manufacturer, the CT7-2E1 architecture was designed to balance long-range performance with efficiency. While retaining the core design of the T700, this variant incorporates several modern upgrades intended to reduce weight and fuel burn. Key technical features include:
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FADEC Integration: A Full Authority Digital Engine Control system for automated engine management.
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Material Upgrades: Usage of advanced materials specifically within the turbine section to handle higher thermal loads.
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Operational Efficiency: The design focuses on lowering maintenance costs and fuel consumption relative to peer engines in its weight class.
In addition to standard operations, the engine is qualified to operate on approved Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends. GE Aerospace confirmed that the CT7-2E1 has previously powered AW149 demonstration flights using SAF at international airshows, demonstrating the hardware’s compatibility with current lower-carbon fuel initiatives.
Elissa Lee, executive director for commercial turboshaft engines at GE Aerospace, noted that the half-million-hour milestone reflects the engine’s role in supporting critical missions for operators worldwide. As the global fleet of AW149 and AW189 helicopters continues to expand, the CT7-2E1 remains a central component of GE’s commercial rotorcraft portfolio.
