MTU Aero Engines has begun delivering turbine centre frames (TCF) for the General Electric GEnx programme.
The engine subassembly manufacturer handed over the first production module to GE during a "last bolt" ceremony at its main site in Munich today.
The company plans to ramp up production to deliver one TCF per day in future.
The TCF connects the high- and low-pressure turbines. It directs the gas stream from the HP to LP turbine and has to withstand air temperatures in excess of 1,000°C (1,832°F) while keeping aerodynamic losses at a minimum.
With the hot section component, MTU created a 6.65% share in the GEnx programme. Chief executive Egon Behle said the high-thrust turbofan family is "one of our most important commercial engine programmes for widebodies" in the future.
MTU entered the commercial engine business in 1971 through participation in GE's CF6 engine programme. Later it became a close partner of Pratt & Whitney and today holds a 15% share in the latter's PW1000G geared turbofan.
In recent years, however, MTU has been working to diversify its partnerships.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
