Red River Turbines Builds World’s First Commercial “T-9 Military Spec” Engine Test Cell

February 11, 2008, North Texas Regional Airport, Sherman, TX…Red River Turbines (RRT), a leader in turbine engine overhaul, has announced the construction of the world’s first commercial T-9 military spec depot level engine test cell. Standing nearly four stories tall, the 66,000-cubic-foot test cell tower is designed to test engines with a maximum of 10,000 pounds thrust with provisions to expand the facility to accept engines up to 40,000 pounds thrust.

In making the announcement, Steve Woolstenhulme, President of Red River Turbines, said the construction of the new $1.6 million engine test cell facility will enable RRT to complete the entire engine overhaul process for its customers at one location.

“Our existing 25,000-square-foot engine inspection and overhaul building houses one of the most modern and complete engine repair facilities in the U.S,” Woolstenhulme explained. “Now, with the addition of the engine test cell, we will be able to provide turnkey engine services, which will greatly enhance our ability to deliver a customer’s engine on-time and on-budget.”

According to Lynn Beavers, Vice President and General Manager of RRT, the new test cell is constructed using available military engine test cell specifications which will help provide conformity and ensure a consistent test environment.

“After the engine goes through the overhaul process, we need to put it through comprehensive testing at all operating parameters,” Beaver said. “With this new test cell, we can simulate various operating environments as well as landing, take-off and cruise power settings to ensure the engine meets all our overhaul standards before it is delivered to the customer.”

Within the large test cell bay is an engine test stand superstructure in which the engine is mounted for testing. Large, roll-up style doors allow for air intake as well as providing an escape for engine exhaust which is funneled into a separate, stand-alone baffle to help diffuse engine noise. A separate heated and cooled Test Cab houses all of the test cell’s data acquisition equipment and includes an auto throttle configuration which will allow precise engine test runs.

The test cell, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of February, is being built next to the main RRT overhaul facility on the Northwest side of the North Texas Regional Airport at Perrin Field, located in Sherman, TX. It is being constructed by Celtech Corporation, Carlsbad, NM, which has installed more than 175 test cells worldwide for various customers including the U.S. Military Services, General Electric, Pratt & Whitney and Lockheed.

About Red River Turbines

Red River Turbines (RRT) is a complete, state-of-the-art technology engine propulsion modernization center. It specializes in all services for GE CJ610, CF700 & J85 engines including inspection, overhaul and solid spool rotor upgrades. At its 25,000 sq. ft. facility, the company is capable of providing engine failure analysis, trouble shooting, combustion liner overhaul, front frame overhaul, component repair and overhauls as well as service bulletin compliance. RRT also stocks a $5 million inventory of available parts, rotables, accessories and core engines. The new 66,000-cubic-foot test cell tower facility is built to T-9 military specifications and is capable of testing engines up to 10,000 pounds thrust.