The Airbus A400M, Europe’s future military transport aircraft, will give users extended strategic capabilities (speed, range, payload), combined with real tactical qualities. Early in the program, designers opted for four TP400-D6 turboprop engines, each one driving a huge eight-bladed propeller. The TP400-D6 will set a new standard for service life and dispatch reliability in the military operating environment. Turboprop power means easier takeoffs and landings, along with the ability to support tactical operations, such as special maneuvers in the field or paradrops. It is also the best solution to meet upcoming noise and pollution standards. For example, the TP400-D6 consumes 20% less fuel per mission than an equivalent jet engine, for lower cost of ownership.
A pan-European production
Like the aircraft for which it was designed, the TP400-D6 is a real pan-European production. It’s being managed by a consortium called Europrop International (EPI), grouping the skills of four top engine-makers: ITP of Spain, MTU of Germany, Rolls-Royce of the United Kingdom and Snecma (SAFRAN Group) of France. Snecma is in charge of the combustor and the high-pressure turbine, engine installation on the plane, the control system, accessory gearbox (via Hispano-Suiza, also a Group company) and the lubrication system (via Techspace Aero, another Group company).
The partners have developed an outstanding engine, weighing about 1,900 kg and delivering 11,000 shaft horsepower – the most powerful turboprop in the West.
Performance and endurance tests are coordinated by Europrop International GmbH, in conjunction with the four partners. After the first test of the engine with its propeller on the Snecma open-air test cell in Istres earlier this year, EPI kicked off another series of tests on April 24. These tests are taking place on ITP’s new open-air test cell at the Moron air base near Seville. They will validate propeller and nacelle integration on the engine, along with endurance and qualification tests. A total of 12 engines will be built for certification testing, and EPI will be using six dedicated test rigs in Europe (see below).
First engine flight test coming up
The next major program milestone is the first flight test of the TP400-D6 turboprop, scheduled for the second half of the year at the Marshall Aerospace flight test center in the U.K., on a modified C-130 transport. The TP400-D6’s maiden flight on the A400M is planned for 2008.
Along with these tests, MTU is setting up the final assembly line for production engines. Deliveries of engines for the production aircraft will start in spring 2009. A total of 192 A400M aircraft have been ordered to date, which means that at least 780 TP400-D6 engines will be produced.
Euro test rigs
EPI will call on six dedicated test rigs in Europe for the TP400-D6, with and without its propeller:
MTU Aero Engines test stand (Ludwigsfelde, Germany): ground performance tests and acceptance tests.
Snecma open-air test cell (Istres, France): performance and endurance tests.
Marshall Aerospace flight test center (United Kingdom): flight tests.
DGA (French defense procurement agency) CEPr test center (France): simulated altitude and operational tests, extreme conditions (freezing temperatures).
Techspace Aero test stand (Liers, Belgium): endurance and performance tests, bird ingestion, rain.
ITP open-air test cell (Seville, Spain): propeller and nacelle integration tests, endurance and qualification tests, as well as tests for acoustic certification.
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