
The Army has started testing its next-generation helicopter engine, the General Electric Aviation [GE]-built Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) system, both the service and the company said Wednesday. The ITEP engine, which will power the Army’s AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters as well as its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), officially completed a “light off” milestone on Tuesday where fuel was ignited in the engine for the first time. “We’re excited to get testing started on this engine.…