Aerospace

Rolls-Royce officially opens €30m mtu combustion engine assembly plant in Germany

The MTU Series 2000 engine assembly facility for Rolls-Royce has begun operations in Kluftern, Germany, not far from Friedrichshafen. This emphasizes how the internal combustion engine will continue to play a part in the energy transition by using sustainable fuels.

A mid-double-digit million-euro investment in the future of this technology went into the new production facility, which makes room for shipping and assembly. In order to modernize the current assembly halls in Rolls-Royce’s Plant 2 in Friedrichshafen, which will provide long-term manufacturing space for the Series 4000 engine, the assembly of MTU Series 2000 engines will be moved to Kluftern. 110 persons are currently employed by the Kluftern factory.

Rolls-Royce successfully tests mtu engines with pure hydrogen(Opens in a new browser tab)

The new production facility has been built to be extremely energy- and environmentally friendly. An intelligent building control system in conjunction with other equipment measures will ensure energy-efficient operation, as will a 1.2 MW-peak photovoltaic system that delivers green electricity, e-charging columns that offer clean mobility options, and so on. Rolls-Royce is demonstrating its dedication to the Power Systems facility in Friedrichshafen with this investment.

Rolls-Royce is focusing on developing engines that can run on a wide range of sustainable fuels, replacing fossil fuels and significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, the company has already launched hybrid systems for rail, shipping and energy, as well as intelligent automation systems. This will enable us to provide climate-friendly propulsion technologies in the future for applications from commercial ships, yachts, land and rail vehicles to energy systems where complete electrification is not an optimal solution in the long-term.

Airbus and CFM International to pioneer hydrogen combustion technology(Opens in a new browser tab)

Rolls-Royce has previously released a large number of mtu engines that can run on this eco-friendly fuel. HVO helps reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90% while also cutting particle and nitrogen oxide emissions.

Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.