Air Warfare

Army aviation shakeup continues with ITEP, FTUAS programs grinding to a halt

“We're ceasing investment and procurement into those two programs as part of the army transformation initiative so we can free up those resources and reinvest them,” an Army spokesperson told Breaking Defense today.

By Ashley Roque on May 09, 2025 10:32 am
ITEP
The Army’s GE T901 First Engine to Test installed in the test cell prior to initial engine light off. (Photo courtesy of General Electric via DVIDS)

WASHINGTON — As additional details about US Army program cuts trickle out, a service spokesperson confirmed tentative plans to end work on a new helicopter engine and the Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System (FTUAS). 

“We’re ceasing investment and procurement into those two programs as part of the army transformation initiative so we can free up those resources and reinvest them,” an Army spokesperson told Breaking Defense today.

Also dubbed the T901 engine, ITEP is slated to power some UH-60 Black Hawks and AH-64 Apaches, providing 50 percent more horsepower and 25 percent better fuel efficiency. However, development hit several speedbumps over the years. 

While the Army is preparing to terminate work on the new engine, so far, the company says it is continuing to work on its development. In a brief statement to Breaking Defense, a GE spokesperson said work on T901 “as outlined in our active contract … remains focused on executing against our commitments including preparations for the first flight milestone this year.”

Defense Daily first reported on cuts to the General Electric’s Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), while details of the impending FTUAS cut emerged in a Senate hearing on Thursday.

The FTUAS was envisioned as a group 3 drone aligned with brigades and slated to replace the RQ-7 Shadow. The program had also encountered delays over the years but Griffon and Textron were currently vying for the contract.

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At a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Thursday, Sen. Jack Reed unveiled news that the Army was halting FTUAS plans, and the Army spokesperson confirmed the news.

At least part of that money, according to the spokesperson, will be used to accelerate development of Bell’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA).

The Army has now asked Bell to craft a plan to accelerate FLRAA and get it to soldiers as quickly as possible.

“We’re trying to get the resources to surge into FLRAA to move its fielding timeline up by years. … We need the aircraft that can fly twice the distance, twice the speed, twice the capabilities,” the spokesperson said.

This story was corrected at 1:20 pm Eastern on 5/9/2025. FLRAA is not using the ITEP. A statement from GE was also added to the article.