In 1967, General Electric began work on a new turboshaft engine demonstrator designated the "GE12" in response to US Army interest in a next-generation utility helicopter.
Pada tahun 1967, General Electric mulai bekerja pada mesin turboshaft demonstran baru ditunjuk "GE12" dalam menanggapi kepentingan Angkatan Darat AS di helikopter utilitas-generasi berikutnya.