LHTEC T800

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The LHTEC T800 is a turboshaft engine for rotary wing applications. It is produced by the LHTEC (Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company), a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Honeywell. The commercial and export version is the CTS800. The engine was primarily developed for the United States Army's cancelled RAH-66 Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopter, but has found use in other applications.

Design and developmentEdit

File:Rah-66 c. 2000.jpg

The first RAH-66 prototype

The engine was originally developed for the United States Army's LHX armed reconnaissance helicopter competition, competing against the Avco/Pratt & Whitney T800. The LHTEC T800 was selected to power the LHX in 1988.<ref>Leyes, p. 213-216</ref> The Boeing-Sikorsky team was selected to build the RAH-66 Comanche in 1991.<ref name="Boeing-Sikorsky win contract">Template:Cite news</ref> A pair of T800-powered RAH-66 prototypes were constructed and underwent flight testing between 1996 and 2004. The LHX program was canceled in 2004, primarily due to cost overruns during its lengthy development, and the US Army's changing requirements.<ref name=AW_Comanche_Killed>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=CNN_Army_cancels>Template:Cite news</ref>