US-based Textron Group’s aviation business unit Textron Aviation has partnered with GE Aviation to produce an all-new turboprop aircraft and engine.

As part of the collaboration, GE has launched an all-new turboprop engine with 1,300 shaft horse power (SHP) for powering Textron’s single engine turboprop (SETP).

With the new engine, GE aims to enter into the turboprop engines family and 850SHP to 1,600SHP ranged business and general aviation aircraft category.

"Our single-engine turboprop will combine the best of both clean-sheet aircraft and new engine designs."

Textron’s GE powered SETP is projected to have a range of more than 1,500 nautical miles and more than 280k in speed.

Textron Aviation turboprops and interior design senior vice-president Christi Tannahill said: "Our single-engine turboprop will combine the best of both clean-sheet aircraft and new engine designs.

"By leveraging the newest technologies, we expect our SETP to outperform the competition in critical areas ranging from cabin size and acquisition cost to performance capability and fuel savings."

Few details have been revealed yet about Textron’s single-engine turboprop. The aircraft is expected to seat less than 12, have a range of 1,500nm and cruise at speeds higher than 280k.

GE Aviation business and general aviation and integrated systems vice-president and general manager Brad Mottier said: "The new engine will allow air-framers to design a new class of turboprop airplanes."

GE would invest up to $1bn in the project, reported Reuters.

Manufacturer of Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker airplanes and Bell helicopters, Textron decided to build a single-engine turboprop, but so far revealed fewer details about it.

The aircraft is expected to have a seating capacity of less than 12.

With a 16:1 overall pressure ratio (OPR), the new GE engine expects to lower up to 20% fuel burn and 10% higher cruise power than its rivals, including United Technologies unit Pratt and Whitney known as PT6.

GE incorporated its 3D aero compressor designs, additive manufacturing capabilities of CFM LEAP turbofan and other designs and technologies while manufacturing its advanced turboprop engine.

Brad Mottier said: "For the past five years, GE conducted design studies and actively researched the turboprop market to identify and integrate the best of our next-gen commercial and military technologies at the lowest cost and risk to our business aviation customers."

GE had beaten its rivals PWC and other engine makers to win the Textron’s contract for developing the 1,300SHP to 2,000SHP family at its newly announced turboprop centre of excellence in Europe with an investment of more than $400m. The new facility further expects to create between 500 and 1,000 new jobs.

The company plans to carry out the detailed design review (DDR) for the new turboprop in 2017 and the first full engine test in 2018.