Fighter Aircraft

Forming as they do the backbone of most of the national air forces, fighter jets are designed to do rapid, extreme maneuvers. MTU Aero Engines is a world leader in the development, design and production of propulsion systems for fighter jets. The company looks back on a long history of military jet engine construction: Initially, it engaged in the production under license of the German Air Force’s GE-J79s powering the Starfighter and F4-Phantom, also providing support for the engines. From 1969 on, MTU partnered with Rolls-Royce and AvioAero to design and manufacture the first “European” engine, the RB199 for the Tornado multi-role combat aircraft. Moreover, MTU had a workshare in the Larzac 04 powering the Alpha Jet, producing about 25 percent of the parts.

MTU is a key player also in the current and future fighter jet engine programs: With a workshare of some 30 percent, it plays a major role in the success of the EJ200 engine powering the Eurofighter Typhoon, contributing its expertise and major components to the program. Always ready to take on new challenges and engage in partnerships, MTU was given an opportunity to take on production stakes in a number of engine programs (F110 und F414) for U.S. fighter aircraft.