rotormatic,
The engines are T700 military engines, operated under restricted catagory, so they have different cycles and limits, all of which might explain the difference. Of course, some of it is that the Black Hawk system can pick up the 8,000 pounds of water without developing much strain or engine temp at typical ambients.
I will check on Monday with the Firehawk troops and get back here with some details.
I am surprised that GE would try to stop operations, as they could merely shorten the overhaul intervals or criteria (the engine is actually on condition, with a time-temperature recorder, so it would tell you to overhaul at the proper cycles, regardless of hours). I will ask the GE guys we have at the plant about this. It could be one of those rumors that get started - do you have direct knowledge of the GE position?