Series production of the MTR390 turboshaft engine, the power plant for the Franco-German Tiger anti-tank and support helicopter, is expected to begin this year. Signing of the production contract in mid-January by the federal office of defence technology and procurement (BWB) and MTU Turbomeca Rolls-Royce (MTR) paved the way for production of the first 320-engine batch, plus 12 spare engines. The first MTR390 engines will be delivered by the end of 2001 and the first twin-engine production helicopters will come off the line in late 2002. Talks are under way with several potential Tiger customers including Spain, Australia, Poland and Scandinavia.
Source: Flight Daily News
