Engines
Safran and MTU Partner To Power Europe’s New Helicopter
Two of Europe’s engine giants are teaming to power the next generation of European helicopters.
MTU and Safran partnership
14 different countries attended an initial information meeting held by MTU and Safran for the development of a future military helicopter engine. (Photo: MTU)

France’s Safran Helicopter Engines and Germany’s MTU Aero Engines have signed a memorandum of understanding that will see the engine OEMs form a joint venture to develop propulsion concepts for the European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) project. The pair have already established the EUMET joint initiative to develop the engine for the Next-Generation Fighter element of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program.

ENGRT is exploring options in anticipation of a future generation of helicopters for service starting around 2040, a timeframe similar to that of FCAS. The teaming aims to bring efficient management and flexible decision-making to the project, as well as ensure the retention of European interests while addressing new techniques.