Top German manufacturer of aircraft engines steps into drone industry

Germany's aircraft engine expert MTU Aero Engines AG is expanding into the drone industry with the acquisition of a drone propulsion start-up.

The Cologne-based AeroDesignWorks GmbH will become a wholly owned subsidiary of MTU following the transaction, Caliber.Az report citing the company's press statement. 

The start-up is a provider of propulsion systems to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

“Through AeroDesignWorks, we are ensuring accelerated and substantial entry into a key growth sector,” says Dr. Ottmar Pfänder, Chief Program Officer of MTU Aero Engines AG. 

“Autonomous and high-precision systems are increasingly becoming a focal point of European aerospace and defence strategies. With this acquisition, MTU will continue making an important contribution to strengthening Europe’s technological independence. At the same time, we are reinforcing our commitment to playing a decisive role in shaping the future of European propulsion systems.”

The Munich-based aircraft engine manufacturer is a key industry leader and major supplier to both civil and military aviation, but military engines account for less than 10% of MTU’s revenue. The start-up, however, generates around €10 million in turnover and already supplies products to MBDA, Airbus, and Boeing. MTU is expected to help scale up production and develop higher-thrust engines for drones.

In the defence sector, MTU services engines for the Panavia Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon, as well as the Eurocopter Tiger and Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopters, and the Airbus A400M Atlas.

MTU CEO Johannes Bussmann was quoted by Reuters as stating that he believes future generations of combat aircraft will operate alongside drones, requiring integrated platform solutions. At present, MTU offers only electric motors for drones through its subsidiary eMoSys, while competitors—including France’s Safran—are also expanding their presence in the unmanned systems market.

By Nazrin Sadigova