Press Release
Contact: Rich Henderson, Aerospace Analyst
Phone: (203) 426-0800
Fax: (203) 270-8919
Web site: www.forecast1.com
E-mail: rich.henderson@forecast1.com
Forecast International, Inc.
22 Commerce Rd. Newtown, CT 06470 USA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Military Helicopter Sales Will Spur Increase in
Turboshaft Engine Orders
NEWTOWN, Conn. [February 19, 2004] ― A rising
worldwide demand for new military helicopters, combined with large-scale U.S.
re-engining requirements, will propel an otherwise flat turboshaft engine
market to higher levels during the coming decade, according to a Forecast
International market analysis. "The Market for Aviation Turboshaft Engines:
2004-2013" points to several key U.S. military programs that will drive
production of current-technology turboshaft engines; it also describes emerging
military requirements mandating new and more efficient powerplant designs.
The demand for military turboshaft engines is expected to
rise significantly over the course of the forecast period as a number of U.S.
helicopter programs gain momentum. Military turboshaft deliveries will
increase from 776 in 2004 to more than 1,200 in 2009, and will remain near that
level through the end of the forecast period. Civilian helicopter production,
according to the report, will continue to require about 900 turboshaft engines
per year over the next six to seven years.
Recent U.S. military helicopter operations in high-elevation
regions have highlighted the need for more powerful engines, and a long-term
effort to re-engine several hundred U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawks is intended to
address that need. Even more powerful replacement engines are expected as a
result of the Army's Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), which ultimately
could yield a common powerplant for Black Hawks and AH-64 Apaches. Under the
auspices of ITEP and similar programs, engine-builders have been striving to
develop more durable and economical turboshaft engines to power those
helicopters and their successors.
"Incremental upgrades to existing turboshaft engines will
continue to improve the performance and reliability of military helicopters in
the near term," said Rich Henderson, aerospace analyst and co-author of the
analysis. "However, some extraordinary advances will be required toward the
end of the forecast period, as next-generation medium- and heavy-lift
helicopters move off the drawing boards and into development."
Among those are the U.S. Army's Air Maneuver Transport and
the successor to the venerable Black Hawk. The AMT could be configured as a
four-engine tiltrotor or other innovative aircraft, according to initial
Pentagon proposals. In any case, the final design is likely to require
turboshaft engines in the 6,000-shp (4,474-kW) class.
Forecast International projects that 19,719 turboshaft
engines, including 8,793 civil and 10,926 military engines, will be delivered
in the 2004-2013 period. These engines will have a total value at $10.6
billion in 2004 U.S. dollars, including $7.5 billion in military sales.
Forecast International, Inc., is
a leading provider of market intelligence and analyses in the areas of
aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics. Based in Newtown,
CT, USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts
and innovative marketing presentations, including regular 10-year forecasts.
To arrange an interview with one of Forecast International's analysts, please
contact Monty Nebinger (203-426-0800, monty.nebinger@forecast1.com).
