The Marine Corps is launching a new $200 million program to improve the engine reliability of its CH-46E helicopter fleet.

This new program, called the T58-16 Engine Reliability Improvement Program (ERIP), will deliver new, General Electric (GE) produced, modified gas path modules (engine cores) and will overhaul the remaining engine accessories at the Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP), Cherry Point, N. C. NADEP Cherry Point will take delivery of these brand new engine cores from GE and then complete the final engine assembly.

The current, unmodified engines are not meeting their reliability targets due to what is commonly called “tired iron.” This resulted from a lack of new engine components and years of continued hard use. By the end of 2000, on average, their mean time between repair hours had fallen from the original design specification of 900 hours to less than 360 hours. They are also experiencing a power loss of approximately five-percent from the designed 1,870-shaft horsepower.

ERIP results in stronger, more reliable engines while reducing maintenance hours and costs to the Fleet. The GE factory assembled engine cores provide all new components, includes all approved Component Improvement Program (CIP) engine modifications, and eliminates all known problems with the engine. Added benefits include recapturing the 900-hour mean time between repair specification and the elimination of the power loss.

The first T58-16A engine prototype is scheduled for delivery in the spring of 2002, while T58-16A production deliveries are slated to begin in mid-Fiscal Year 2003.