100 % more pressure - MTU Aero Engines

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In 2011, MTU increased its share
in the PW1000G program.
technOlOGies FOr enGines OF the Future
cOmmercial enGine prOGrams
In cooperation with Pratt & Whitney, MTU is working on a new generation of engines known as the
geared turbofan (GTF) PurePower ® PW1000G. Unlike conventional turbofans, in which the fan and
low-pressure turbine run at the same speed on a single shaft, the geared turbofan places a reduction
gear between the two components to decouple them. This enables the large fan to operate at a lower
speed and the low-pressure turbine at a higher speed, thus improving the efficiency of the fan and
the low-pressure turbine, lowering fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 15 % each, and halving
perceived noise levels. What is more, the lower number of parts and stages makes the engine lighter.
MTU’s contribution to the geared turbofan comprises the high-speed low-pressure turbine and parts
of the high-pressure compressor.
Airbus is offering the GTF as an option for the A320neo (which seats 150 to 200 passengers), while
at Bombardier it is the sole powerplant option for its CSeries 100- to 145-seater regional jet. GTF
launch customer Mitsubishi is using the engine to equip its MRJ regional jet, which seats between
70 and 90 passengers. Russian aircraft maker Irkut also intends to equip its 150-seater MS-21 with
the PW1000G engine.
MTU holds a 15 % share in the PW1217G program for the MRJ. In 2011, it secured an 18 % share in
the PW1000G program for the A320neo. In the latter program, MTU is also making the engine’s
brush seals, manufacturing components for the high-pressure compressor, and is responsible for
part of the final assembly and testing work. In the financial year 2011, MTU raised its share in the
PW1524G program for the Bombardier CSeries from 15 to 17 %.
In June 2011, the geared turbofan reached a key milestone on the way to series production, with the
PW1524G completing its first successful flight on Pratt & Whitney’s flying testbed, a Boeing 747.
An important program for future widebody aircraft is that of the GEnx engine, which will power the
Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the new Boeing 747-8, and where MTU is responsible for the development,
production and assembly of the turbine center frame. In March 2011, the first 747-8 Intercontinental
took off on its maiden flight, equipped with GEnx engines.
military enGine prOGrams
Development activities in the military segment continued to focus on the TP400-D6 for the Airbus
A400M military transporter. This three-shaft engine is the most powerful turboprop engine in the
Western world. MTU is contributing the entire intermediate-pressure section, comprising compressor,
turbine and spool. It is also developing the engine and propeller control system in cooperation with
its French partner Snecma. Following the completion of comprehensive performance, endurance
and safety tests, a key milestone on the path toward deployment of this engine by national air forces
was reached in May 2011, when the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) officially approved its
use on commercial aircraft.
MTU’s involvement in General Electric’s GE38 helicopter engine program takes the company into
uncharted waters, marking the first time that it has taken on full development responsibility within
an U.S. military engine program. The GE38’s first application will be in the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation’s
CH-53K heavy-lift transport helicopter. MTU is responsible for the power turbine and has
obtained licenses for the maintenance, final assembly and testing of the GE38 engines destined to
power the European Future Transport Helicopter (FTH). Thus far, the development program has been
proceeding according to plan, with the first module being delivered in May 2011 for flight testing.