The first two MTR390 engines to power Australia’s Armed Reconaissance Helicopter ARH Tigers were delivered to Eurocopter Australia. The delivery marks the beginning of the Australian assembly of 40 MTR390s over a three-year period. The MTR390 is a collaborative engine developed by MTU, Turbomeca and Rolls-Royce.
Clemens Linden, Managing Director of MTR GmbH, the company responsible for the engine, said: "This milestone is not just about delivering hardware, but is also the introduction of genuine indigenous Australian capability to build and support its own fleet."
The engines were assembled and tested in Sydney, at the facilities of Turbomeca Australasia, a site of MTR partner Turbomeca. Turbomeca Australasia will assemble and test all the Australian engines from now on and undertake some repair activity at its site.
The 958-kW MTR390, the most advanced in its class, is the Tiger’s sole powerplant. It offers customers a number of advantages, including low fuel consumption and an advanced full authority digital engine control (FADEC), taking some of the workload from the pilot.
Orders
The French and German governments have ordered more than 340 engines for the first batch of 160 helicopters.
The first MTR390 engines for the multi role fire support helicopter (UHT) Tiger came off the production line in March 2002 and were then delivered to the German Army. In March 2003, the first production combat (HAP) Tiger made its maiden flight. Deliveries to the French Armed Forces will begin this year.
Spain is the second export customer for the engine, and MTR will supply 55 Enhanced MTR390 engines to power Spain’s new combat (HAD) Tigers.
-ends-
First Two Australian-Built MTR390 Engines Delivered
