FAG Aerospace, the Schaeffler Group’s aerospace bearing division, is once again successfully involved in a project that is showing the way ahead. In cooperation with its customers, the Schweinfurt-based company has developed all the main shaft engine bearings as well as the turboprop engine bearings for the new Airbus A400M military transport aircraft and delivered the prototypes. “Naturally we are proud that the new TP400-D6 turboprop engine with our bearings has come through its baptism of fire,” Franz-Josef Ebert, Product Development and Sales Manager at FAG Aerospace, was delighted to report. Recently the engine passed its first run at MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg in Ludwigsfelde without any problems.
With its maximum output of 11,000 shaft horsepower, the TP400-D6 is considered to be the most powerful turboprop engine in the Western world. “The special challenge for us and for our customers was to realize this extremely high output with a highly compact and lightweight propeller engine design,” explains Franz-Josef Ebert. The FAG engineers solved the high temperature and speed problems for the main shaft bearings by deploying special materials and special integrated designs. Here the experience gained during the development of the Trent 900 engine for the new A380 super jumbo proved helpful because the turbine driving the propeller (5.3 meters in diameter!) was designed to civil standards in terms of life, reliability and availability in a military operational environment. The three-shaft configuration is the most advanced state-of-the-art engine in its class. It was developed by the leading European engine manufacturers Industria de Turbo Propulsores (Spain), MTU Aero Engines (Germany), Rolls-Royce (U.K.) and Snecma (France).
Seven European countries are involved in the multi-national program for the Airbus A400M and have already ordered as many as 180 aircraft. In the meantime an export order from South Africa for eight machines has been added. The A400M is larger, faster and more flexible in use than the Transall transporter used so far. For instance, the new “military Airbus” can cover 7,250 kilometers non-stop with 20 tons of freight. Its maximum payload is 32 tons and its maximum speed amounts to 700 kilometers per hour. The A400M will have twice the payload capacity and volume of the transport aircraft currently in service. Nevertheless, the new aircraft’s life cycle costs are almost identical. Furthermore it reaches a higher cruising speed and range and offers optimum capabilities for tactical low-level flights.
Engine certification is expected for October 2007; shortly afterwards the A400M will take off for its maiden flight, powered by four turboprop engines. The first machines are scheduled for delivery in 2009.
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