Europrop International (EPI) last week ran the intermediate pressure compressor (IPC) of the TP400-D6 turboprop engine under development for the Airbus Military A400Mtransport for the first time. The MTU-supplied five-stage IPC, incorporating four lightweight titanium blisk rotors, "performed exactly as expected" during the tests in Munich, Germany, says EPI. First ground runs of the TP400 are due to take place in August 2005.
Over 750 powerplants, including spares, are required to power the 180 four-engined A400Ms that have been ordered by seven European nations.
Engine certification and A400Mfirst flight are scheduled for November 2007, and first deliveries to air forces in August 2009. MTU has a 22.2% share of EPI, alongside Spain's ITP (20.6%), Rolls-Royce of the UK (25%) and France's Snecma (32.2%).
Source: Flight International
