As the world’s fifth-largest engine manufacturer, MTU is one of the big players in the industry. Germany’s Number One engine manufacturer develops and manufactures components and modules for commercial and military engines and assembles complete engines. In the military engine arena, MTU is the national partner of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). In addition, the company is the world’s largest independent provider of commercial engine maintenance services. Moreover, MTU uses its know-how from engine construction in the industrial gasturbine business.
Commercial Engine Business – the Growth Driver
MTU derives the major part of its sales from the development and production of commercial engine components and modules in all thrust classes. In the commercial new engine business – including spare parts – the company is an important market participant: Almost every third commercial aircraft has MTU modules and components onboard. Technologically, MTU’s low-pressure turbines and high-pressure compressors are worldclass. In the commercial new engine business, MTU cooperates with the Who’s Who in engine manufacture, its most important partners being Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, and Rolls-Royce. MTU maintains close links with each partner through cooperative ventures.
In the year 2005, the development activities in the commercial engine business concentrated on the two most important future programs: the GP7000, the engine for the mega-Airbus A380, and the PW6000, the engine for the single-aisle Airbus A318.
MTU holds major stakes in both engine programs: In the GP7000, it holds a 22.5% share as a risk-and-revenue-sharing partner and in the PW6000 it has a total 33% share in the program. Today these program workshares do not yet reflect in the sales figures; over the mid-to-long-term, however, they will represent an important volume of business.
In addition to the manufacturing business, the production of spare parts is the second essential revenue generator in the commercial engine business. MTU produces spare parts for all modules in which it is involved as a partner. An important role is played by the high-pressure turbine of the CF6 engine, which powers Airbus and Boeing mid- and long-haul aircraft, and the low-pressure turbine of the V2500 engine, the preferred engine for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft. As a risk-and-revenue-sharing partner in a total of ten commercial engine-family programs, MTU also profits pro-rata from the sale of spare parts.
The commercial engine business will profit from an aviation market that will continue to grow. Experts predict an average long-term annual growth in passenger kilometers flown of more than 5%, they estimate the market for new engines in the next 20 years at over 40,000.
GP7000: Most Important Commercial Engine of the Future
The GP7000 is the most important future commercial program for MTU. The engine to power the Airbus A380 is the first engine to be developed and built jointly by Pratt & Whitney and General Electric. MTU delivers the low-pressure turbine and the turbinecenter frame and is also involved in the production of the high-pressure turbine. With its risk-and-revenue-sharing stake of 22.5%, it is the third-largest partner in the program. The GP7000 has developed into the preferred engine for the Airbus megaliner:
by the end of 2005, more than half of all engines ordered were GP7000s. In late 2004, the GP7000 successfully completed its first test flight on the wing of a Boeing 747. In December 2005, it received FAA certification and in the spring of 2006, it is scheduled to begin flight testing on the A380.
MTU employs about 300 people in both the development and the production of the GP7000. The program also creates about 1000 additional highly qualified jobs among suppliers.
PW6000: MTU Cracking the High-Pressure Compressor Market
With the high-pressure compressor it developed for the PW6000, the engine for the single-aisle Airbus A318, MTU for the first time launched a compressor on a commercial core engine, allowing the company to penetrate a tough-to-crack market – a success of strategic significance. In addition to the compressor, it is also contributes the low pressure turbine. Final assembly of all engines is performed exclusively at MTU Maintenance Hannover, which received PW6000 production organization approval in August 2005.
The total program share of about 33 % is the biggest workshare MTU has ever had in a commercial jet engine. In November 2004, the PW6000 was approved by the US aviation authority FAA and won its first customer in August 2005, LAN Airlines, Chile. Volume production begins in 2006.
Bestseller V2500
The International Aero Engines (IAE) consortium’s V2500 engine which powers the Airbus A320 family, has developed into a best-selling engine: More than 5,000 orders and options have already been recorded in the order books; about half of the engines on order have already been delivered. This “green engine”, as it is called by experts because of its particular environmental friendliness, is especially popular in the Asia-Pacific region, which has seen a real boom for the V2500 in recent years. To meet customer requirements even better, IAE has launched the “V2500 Select” engine upgrade and aftermarket support program. Among other things, it provides for longer maintenance intervals. MTU, which is a co-founder of the IAE consortium, is the world’s leading provider of maintenance services for the V2500.
PW300/PW500: Power for Business Jets
MTU also provides plenty of thrust for business jets: The German industry leader is participating in the PW300 and PW500 engine families, which have found homeson small, mid-size and large business jets. For the Pratt & Whitney Canada engines, MTU develops and manufactures the lowpressure turbine including the turbine exitcase and the mixer; it holds a 25% share each in the PW300 and PW500.
The engines are used on aircraft such as the Learjet 60, Cessna aircraft, the Gulfstream G200, and the new Dassault Falcon 7X. The latter is powered by three PW307 engines. The design concept of the PW307 is based on the proven PW306, however, it offers more thrust, provides improved efficiency, and burns less fuel. MTU’s share is 15%. The PW307 was certified in April 2005, and the first flight on the Falcon 7X followed a few weeks later. Flight testing will continue until early 2007. MTU expects a total market of up to 320 aircraft and up to 1,000 engines, including spare engines.
The total business jet market promises good growth rates: In the year 2005, sales rose by 27%. The market for aircraft powered by PWC engines in which MTU holds a stake even grew by 43%.