Keywords
Citation
(2000), "Production contract signed for Tiger's MTR390 engine", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 72 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2000.12772bab.051
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited
Production contract signed for Tiger's MTR390 engine
Production contract signed for Tiger's MTR390 engine
Keywords: MTR, Helicopters, Aero engines
The French-German Tiger attack-escort helicopter engine, the MTR390, which entered its production investment phase in 1997, has now been cleared for production. The production contract, worth DM430 million, was signed by the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) and MTU Turbomeca Rolls-Royce GmbH (MTR) recently.
Hans Fischer, MTR's managing director said:"
The contract covers the production of the first batch, comprising 320 engines plus spares, which is a major boost for the MTR partners production lines in Germany, France and the UK. The production go-ahead also helps our marketing efforts aimed at finding new applications for the MTR390 engine.
The MTR390 is thought to be technologically the most advanced helicopter engine in its class. Around 1,000 engines are to be produced for a total of 427 Tiger helicopters. The first engine batch will be delivered between 2001 and 2011. The first series of helicopters will be delivered by the end of 2002/beginning of 2003.
The various MTR390 modules will be manufactured at the facilities of the three MTR partners, MTU Mu«nchen, Turbomeca and Rolls-Royce. According to present production workshare arrangements, MTU will be responsible for the combustor and high-pressure turbine. Turbomeca for the compressor, gearbox, accessories and control system, including FADEC, and Rolls-Royce for the power turbine. Final assembly of the entire first batch will be on a line to be set up at MTU.
Under the MTR390 development programme, 30 development and prototype engines were manufactured, demonstrating the engine's high reliability and excellent performance and fuel consumption characteristics in an extremely demanding military approval programme. The MTR390 has so far logged over 17,400 running hours, including more than 6,000 flight hours in Tiger prototypes and Panther flying test beds. This experience demonstrates the engine's technical maturity.
The engine obtained its civil registration in 1997. This was another important milestone in the development programme, which was concluded last year when French and German military qualification was obtained.