Basic press release

MTU focuses on tomorrow's engine: reducing fuel burn and emissions

Munich, June 20, 2011 – MTU Aero Engines has for years been working on new technologies to further improve the environmental compatibility of future engines. The effort is worth the trouble: industry experts see good growth opportunities for aviation. By 2020, they expect air traffic to double. Closely cooperating with the major players in the business, Germany's leading engine manufacturer develops novel propulsion systems and technologies in all thrust and power categories and is involved in essential national and international research projects.

Geared turbofan engine

The future belongs to the geared turbofan (GTF) engine. It features a reduction gearbox between the fan and low-pressure turbine; on conventional engines, the two are rigidly interconnected through a shaft. When they are decoupled, the large-diameter fan can run slower and the turbine much faster, permitting both components to operate at their best. In this manner, they greatly improve the efficiency of the geared turbofan engine and reduce the noise it generates. The GTF is being developed and built by Pratt & Whitney in cooperation with MTU; its introduction will mark the debut of a new family of engines. In its main application, the GTF is one of the re-engining options for the Airbus A320neo. Other applications are Bombardier's CSeries, Mitsubishi's MRJ regional aircraft and Irkut's new MS-21 short- and medium-haul jet airliner.

Claire

In partnership with Bauhaus Luftfahrt, MTU has developed an ambitious program to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of aircraft engines. Under the Clean Air Engine (Claire) technology project, a CO2 reduction of up to 30 percent is scheduled by 2035. With the initiative, the targets set by ACARE will be clearly exceeded, and noise levels at the same time drastically reduced.

The program bases on the geared turbofan engine and has three stages. Plans are, in the first stage (by 2012), to lower CO2 emissions by about 15 percent and cut the perceived noise levels in half, using technologies that have been matured for production by that time. Key components are the unique high-speed low-pressure turbine developed and manufactured by MTU and a high-pressure compressor to be built jointly by MTU and Pratt & Whitney. This new transonic compressor will achieve a compression ratio of 17:1 with no more than eight stages, and appreciably enhance efficiency. That's enough to beat most commercial models by a wide margin.

In a second step, the CO2 emission reduction will be raised to at least 20 percent by 2025. The key to success is even more efficient thrust generation – for instance by the further development of the GTF or through the use of a shrouded, counter-rotating prop fan, the concept for which had been developed by MTU already back in the 1980s. By 2035, MTU ultimately expects to achieve the full target of a 30 percent reduction when in the third and last stage, utilization of the energy in the core engine will be further optimized, for example through the use of a heat exchanger.

Further technology initiatives

MTU has major roles also in the national German Aviation Research Program and the European Union's Clean Sky, Newac and Dream projects.

MTU is the leading industrial partner on the German Aviation Research Program. The company cooperates closely with universities and research institutes, focusing on the development of new improved-efficiency high-pressure compressor and low-pressure turbine technologies. Part of the program, moreover, is devoted to optimizing blisk manufacturing techniques. Blisk stands for blade integrated disk, a construction that improves strength and reduces weight. MTU has carved out a globally leading position in blisk technology. New solutions helping to reduce manufacturing costs accentuate the company's leading position.

Clean Sky

Clean Sky is the largest aviation technology research initiative in the history of the European Union. The program was launched in the fall of 2008 and is scheduled to run until at least 2014. As part of the initiative, the leading European engine manufacturers are building five different engine demonstrators, and MTU is responsible for one of them. The engine is based on geared-turbofan technology. Another focus of MTU's activities will be on the high-speed low-pressure turbine for the next generation of GTF engines. The aim is to demonstrate the maturity of the technologies for new, lower-weight constructions and materials when subjected to further increased mechanical and thermal loads, and to validate advanced aerodynamic blading designs. These technologies serve to make future GTF engines even more efficient and lighter in weight.

Newac

Newac (New Aero Engine Core Concepts) is a European-level program now about to be completed. Under this program, major European engine manufacturers led by MTU, and universities and research institutes, focus on new concepts for the core engine, ranging from enhanced conventional gas turbine and intercooled to recuperative engine cores. MTU concentrates on the active control of high-pressure compressors. An attempt is made to make future compressors more efficient.

Dream

The objective of the Dream (ValiDation of Radical Engine Architecture SysteMs) technology project is to develop new engine concepts. Partnering with other engine manufacturers, MTU Aero Engines is working on innovative turbine mid structure and smart active clearance control solutions.

With technology activities like these, MTU is solidifying its standing as a partner in cooperative ventures with the leading manufacturers in the business. It excels especially in high-pressure compressor and low-pressure turbine technologies, manufacturing and repair techniques. Germany’s only independent engine manufacturer has a workforce of some 7,900 and in fiscal 2010 posted consolidated sales of about 2.7 billion euros. The company's MRO segment is the world's largest independent provider of commercial engine services. In the military arena, MTU is Germany's industrial lead company for practically all engines flown by the country's military.

Your contacts:

Eckhard Zanger
Tel.: + 49 (0)89 14 89-91 13
Mobile: + 49 (0) 176-1000 6158

Odilo Mühling
Tel.: +49 (0)89 14 89-26 98

Mobile: +49 (0) 176-1001 7859