Defence Turkey:How do you evaluate the export activities of TEI in 2010?

TEI realized sales of 275 million dollars in 2010 and from this amount 155 million dollars are exports. According to the data obtained by the Istanbul Chamber of Industry from its research on the “500 Biggest Industrial Companies in Turkey for 2009” TEI climbed 27 steps in manufacturing sales in 2009 to 200th and climbed 9 steps in exports to 59th place compared to the previous year. A large part of TEI’s revenues is derived from exports and we are among the biggest exporters of our country in the field that requires advanced technology.

Compared to the contraction in the aviation sector in the world in general as a result of the global crisis in 2009, 2010 has seen an expansion in the sector. In this regard, an increase is foreseen in sales and exports.
TEI became the design and technology producing partner of Turkey Technology Center, which was established with its partner GE Aviation. Would you please inform us of your activities in this regard?

As an extension of the R&D work we have conducted, the TTC founded in the Gebze Technology Free Zone in an agreement signed between TEI and GE Aviation in 2007 provides a service to the target of TEI being the principal manufacturer of aircraft engines. As an engineering joint venture and which can be characterized as a historical step, TEI and GE engineers are jointly undertaking design and development work for all commercial and military GE aircraft engines at the Center.

The TTC is continuing with success in its work in the areas of design technologies; manufacturing and quality and repair technologies. Many activities are being conducted on mechanical design; structural analysis; suitability analysis and cost reduction projects among others. The Quality and Manufacturing Technologies Group provides time recovery during different periods. The Repair Technology Group works on maintenance and support, namely on repair technology development projects on sequence military engines
Defence Turkey:TEI became the design and technology producing partner of Turkey Technology Center, which was established with its partner GE Aviation. Would you please inform us of your activities in this regard?

As an extension of the R&D work we have conducted, the TTC founded in the Gebze Technology Free Zone in an agreement signed between TEI and GE Aviation in 2007 provides a service to the target of TEI being the principal manufacturer of aircraft engines. As an engineering joint venture and which can be characterized as a historical step, TEI and GE engineers are jointly undertaking design and development work for all commercial and military GE aircraft engines at the Center.

The TTC is continuing with success in its work in the areas of design technologies; manufacturing and quality and repair technologies. Many activities are being conducted on mechanical design; structural analysis; suitability analysis and cost reduction projects among others. The Quality and Manufacturing Technologies Group provides time recovery during different periods. The Repair Technology Group works on maintenance and support, namely on repair technology development projects on sequence military engines

Defence Turkey:TEI is at the position to produce components for GEnx engines that will power Boeing 787, 747 and Airbus 350, which are currently being developed and GP7200 engines to be used at A380, which is the biggest aircraft in the world. What is the status of the studies of TEI within this scope? What is the technological excellence of TEI that makes it competitive in an international platform?


TEI continues with the manufacture of 19 different parts including concurrent complex engineering and HPT disc parts for the GEnx engine that will provide power to the Boeing 787 and 747 aircraft. In a similar way 3 different parts for the GP7200 engine is being carried out by TEI. Within the blisk and spool parts coverage, work on the start-up on the 5th stage compressor blisk part manufacture for the GEnx engine has been successfully completed and the multiple production phase has commenced. TEI with its vision of being a world class, competitive main engine manufacturer continues with its work and with the effective supplier/subsidiary industry management and the capabilities gained in advanced technology production is able to compete in the international market and as a center of excellence in revolving pieces/modules provides service to its customers.
Defence Turkey:Recently TEI has successfully completed the manufacture of the first integral compressor pale and disc piece in Turkey. Could you please enlighten us about your capability and technology within this concept?

TEI successfully completed its first integral compressor pale and disc manufacture in 2010. The said manufacture was the first integral compressor pale and disk (blisk) part for the 5th stage of the GEnx engine that powers the Boeing 747-8 and 787 Dreamliner. No doubt this success is an important indicator in the point reached in the aviation sector by our country.

In becoming a complete engine manufacturer, TEI signed a contract with its partner GE in 2009 to acquire the blisk-spool manufacturing technology. The integral pale-disc and disc groups (blisk and spool) manufacturing project is being realized with the latest manufacturing technology in the area of world aviation and TEI will become one of the few aviation companies in the world to possess this technology. Using advanced manufacturing techniques and high technology, the new generation integral pale and disk groups being manufactured while significantly lowering weight in engines and reducing harmful emissions provides high performance with its fuel efficiency.

Within the project’s coverage with the F-136 engine that will power the JSF in particular, 7 different integral pale-disc and disc group manufacturing for the GEnx that powers the Boeing 787/747-8 airplanes, the LMS100 for frigates and for industrial use and the CF6 engines that power the Airbus 300/310/330 and Boeing 747/767 has been planned to be realized at TEI.

In this way within the coverage of the blisk and spool manufacturing technology for applications in various engines and sea engines in military and commercial programs, “sensitive pale processing technologies, electro-chemical discharge machining (ECDM), inertia welding, sensitive angle and surface machining processes, advanced level technologies, sensitive blisk measuring and evaluation technologies and blisk repair technologies” are being gained by TEI.

Within the 511 million dollars of business volume expected with this project between 2010 and 2021, while continuing with both military and commercial engine manufacturing TEI will also be in a position to apply this advanced technology to air, land and sea platforms. In the F136 program that is continuing with the cooperation of GE and Rolls Royce, today TEI is the only supplier selected in the manufacturing of integral pale and disc groups. With this manufacturing method whereby pale and discs are machined from a single cast part an important amount of weight and resistance advantages are realized.

In the manufacturing of compressors for airplane engines, the manufacture of integral pale-disc and disc groups using advanced level technology was not available at TEI or in our country and was only available to 5-6 main engine manufacturers in the world. With the contract signed with GE, the transfer to TEI of the blisk and spool manufacturing technology, that is one of the most advanced technologies in the aviation sector, makes TEI the only or the primary source in the world for the parts stated in the agreement. Conscious of the fact that continuity for companies in the aviation sector is based on success in reliability, competitiveness and start-up of new products, TEI continues with its investments and uses advanced technology applications to create a competitive advantage
Defence Turkey:Within the scope of A400M project, TEI has been performing design and production activities of the two modules of the engine. What is the status of your studies within the project frame?

If we were to mention our activities in 2010, all deliveries that were to take place in 2010 for the front bearing structure (FBS) and exhaust nozzle modules that are used in land and flight tests for the TP400 engine that is under the responsibility of TEI were completed. Within this coverage, four FBS and primary nozzle and two supporting bars and exhaust cone modules were recently dispatched. Since the beginning of the project the number of set modules dispatched has reached forty four. In addition, test evaluation, certification reports and design update work have been carried out.

After the A400M Airbus realized its maiden flight on 11 December 2009, three more airbuses were included in the flight text program. Over 300 flights have been completed and the total flight time exceeds 1,000 hours. In 2011 the last design updates towards batch production will be carried out and the first batch production module deliveries will take place.
Defence Turkey:What is the status of TEI’s activities on R&D? Would you please inform us on the developed original products and systems? What is the status of your studies regarding the turbojet engine developed to be used for unmanned air vehicles?

TEI’s design activities commenced in 1997 with the J85 Ejector Development Project for the F5/T38 aircraft. In the TP400 Engine Project that TEI has been a Risk and Revenue Partner since 2003, the maiden flight successfully took place in December 2009 and was rightfully a source of pride for us. The modules under the responsibility of TEI during the 1,000 hour test flights of the A400M Airbus have exhibited a successful performance. Again TEI takes place in the “System Development and Demonstration Phase” of the F136 Engine Project for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) considered as the largest defense systems procurement project of all time.

As an extension to all of these activities, the TTC established at the Gebze Technology Free Zone between TEI and GE Aviation serves TEI’s objective of being the main manufacturer of aircraft engines.

The point we have reached today is that aside from the success that TEI has obtained for years in the area of physical production, it has also now proven itself in generating knowledge and this is also a sources of pride for us. Thus, with the knowledge and experience gained from the said projects, TEI has moved to indigenous engine design and using the latest methods of technology developed by its own engineers, and with its own manufacturing technologies as well as using other opportunities in technology in Turkey, is flying its own manufactured indigenous engines with pride.

Due to the strategic importance of Unmanned Airborne Vehicles (UAVs) in the world in terms of defense systems and because of its increase in market share, TEI, within the framework of its existing design and manufacturing capabilities, knowledge and experience has developed the TEI-TP-1X turboprop engine as its first original work to be used in UAVs.

As emphasized in the founding purpose of TEI, the target of designing and developing aircraft engines also means UAV engines. In fact, in order to realize this goal, considering UAVs as a priority first step is seen as a strategic approach. TEI has adopted the duties and responsibilities as a principal contractor in the design and the manufacturing of engines that will power UAVs as a company strategy. In line with our country’s requirements, currently there are activities underway on the subject of indigenous engine projects.
Defence Turkey:What is the participation level of TEI in the ATAK and JSF Projects? What is the status of studies in this respect?

The software and hardware for the ATAK Helicopter Project has been designed and manufactured with national resources in which the high technology avionic instruments with its integration to the helicopter platform to be procured has the goal of meeting the Land Forces Command’s attack, tactical and reconnaissance helicopter requirements. Within the coverage of the ATAK Helicopter Project, subsequent to the power turbine manufacturing contract signed with Rolls Royce, work continues on the start-up production of the power turbine module for the LHTEC CTS800-4 engine developed by Rolls Royce and Honeywell that will provide power to air platforms.

Within the coverage of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), TEI is undertaking the manufacturing of 13 separate part numbers for the F136 engine as the single manufacturing source and within this program, between the years 2012 and 2045, including the blisk-spool manufacturing, TEI has signed a manufacturing agreement with GE for a total of 3 billion USD for the manufacture of parts and changeable parts within the portfolio of TEI. Again, within the coverage of the blisk-spool project, as one of the most advanced technologies in the aviation sector that is only available in certain large engine companies in the world, this technology is been transferred to TEI. In this agreement there are parts that make up seven separate engine configurations for the F136, GEnx, CF6-80C, CF6-80E, CF6-5, CF6-80A and LMS engines. In this way, blisk and spool manufacturing technology in the application for different engines includibg sea engines in military and commercial programs will be transferred to TEI.
Defece Turkey:Would you like to add a message for our readers?

I want to thank you on behalf of all our employees for providing the opportunity to mention about TEI’s projects and activities. In the founding of TEI and in reaching its position today, I extend by deepest gratitude to the contributions provided by our Turkish partners, General Electric, our Turkish Armed Forces, our Ministry of National Defense, our Undersecretariat for Defense Industries and other organizations and companies and our employees.