EuroProp TP400

The EuroProp International TP400-D6 is the all-new 10,690shp powerplant for the Airbus Military A400M, superseding the now defunct Aero Propulsion Alliance TP400-D1 M88 derivative proposed earlier. When it enters service it will be the most powerful turboprop in the western world. The world's most powerful turboprop is the Soviet built, 15,000shp dual turbine Kuznetsov NK-12MP, originally designed after WWII by a German ex-Junkers team under Ferdinand Brandner.

Design

The engine has a 2 spool gas generator, with a third shaft connecting the Power (LP) Turbine to the 5.3m diameter, 8 bladed, composite propeller, via an offset reduction gearbox. Gas generator configuration is as follows: 5 stage IP compressor, driven by a single stage IP turbine; contra-rotating 6 stage HP compressor driven by a single stage, air-cooled, HP turbine. The power turbine has 3 stages. The 3 shaft configuration was chosen to maximize overall pressure ratio, whilst retaining a free power turbine.

Maximum power output is 10,690shp installed, with an Overall Pressure Ratio of about 25:1 and a Rotor Inlet Temperature of roughly 1,500K. The LP compressor has a pressure ratio of 3.5, whereas the HP compressor develops a pressure ratio of about 7.2.

The engine first ran on 28 October,2005, using a water-brake as the load. During subsequent testing, the engine reached full power. On February 28, 2006 the engine was tested for the first time with the propeller installed.

Certification was scheduled for October 2007, with the A400M first flight scheduled shortly afterwards. However continued technical problems have delayed the certification test program and pushed the entire A400M aircraft program into further delays. Two milestones were reached in June 2008 - its first ground run on a flight testbed and completing integration with the first production aircraft [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/06/23/224824/europrop-engine-for-airbus-military-a400m-passes-milestones.html] .

Europrop

The EuroProp joint company is an alliance (ownership share in brackets) of, [http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews/03paris/newsmkr3_05.htm]
*Rolls-Royce (28%) United Kingdom
*Snecma (28%) France
*MTU Aero Engines (28%) Germany
*Industria de Turbo Propulsores (Sener Aeronáutica & Rolls-Royce) (16%) Spain

Workshare

Responsibilities are as follows:

*Rolls-Royce :Engine integration:HP compressor:LP shaft:Intermediate case:Bearing support structure

*Snecma

:Combustor:HP turbine:Powerplant installation:Lubrication system:Starter:Engine control system (in cooperation with MTU):Accessory gearbox (in cooperation with Hispano-Suiza)

*MTU

:IP compressor:IP turbine:IP shaft:Engine control system (in cooperation with SNECMA):Engine testing:Final assembly

*ITP

:Power turbine:External dressings:Front bearing support:Turbine exit casing:Special test equipment:Extensive engine testing:Exhaust nozzle

Workshare on the TP400-D6 engine is split based on the number of aircraft purchased by each of the partner nations.The current shares are: Snecma 32.2% (including work at Techspace Aero), Rolls-Royce 25% (includes work at German operations), MTU 22.2%, ITP 20.6% (includes Turkish share,TEI [http://www.tei.com.tr] that is responsible of Front Bearing Structure and Exhaust Nozzle Assemblies). [http://www.tealgroup.com/samples/sample2-wpsb.pdf] [http://www.itp.es/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=73]

Orders

Nine countries have ordered a total of 195 four-engine A400Ms: Germany (60), France (50), Spain (27), United Kingdom (25), Turkey (10), South Africa (8), Belgium (7), Chile (3),Malaysia (4) and Luxembourg (1). These aircraft will require 780 TP400-D6 engines and an initial replacement batch of more than 30. Airbus is hoping for export sales of the A400M which would increase this figure.

External links

* [http://www.europrop.aero Europrop International]