Development and series production of highly efficient turbojet propulsion systems for UAVs, target platforms and guided missile systems
AeroDesignWorks GmbH
CologneNew on Amplifa
An MTU Aero Engines Company – Small Engines from Cologne
The AeroDesignWorks GmbH (ADW) is a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), based in Cologne, and develops and manufactures highly efficient turbojet propulsion systems for unmanned aerial vehicles, target platforms and guided missile systems. Since 2026, the company has been part of MTU Aero Engines AG, expanding MTU's product portfolio with small engines in the range of around 500 N of thrust. ADW covers the entire value chain of modern small engines – from conceptualization through design, simulation and validation to production, assembly and final test bench runs. At the Cologne site, the propulsion systems are produced in industrial series production with a high degree of in-house manufacturing depth; the B300 series is already in series production and operationally proven, and the product line prospectively covers thrust classes up to 10 kN. In addition, the company works as a technology service provider on advanced turbomachinery such as compressors, turbines and fans, including a turbojet with an integrated starter-generator (B350STG). The quality management system is certified to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015.
- Site
- Köln
- Processes
- Turbojet engines – manufacturing and assembly (series production, incl. B300 series, B350STG), Development, engineering and manufacture of turbo components, small gas turbines and peripherals, Maintenance and servicing of turbo components, small gas turbines and peripherals, Design, simulation and optimization of turbomachinery (compressor, turbine and, Manufacture of advanced turbomachinery: fans, blowers, compressors and turbines, Test bench testing of propulsion systems (validation/certification, engine testing), Engineering and design of turbomachinery (compressors, turbines, nozzles), Simulation and optimization (aerodynamic/structural)
- Materials
- Turbomachinery Design, Simulation & Optimization, Prototype Development, Test Bench Testing, Maintenance & Servicing
- Certificates
- DIN EN ISO 9001:2015
- Industries
- Aerospace, UAVs/Drones, Target representation, Guided missile systems (civil and military), Model aviation, Guided missile systems (military and civilian applications)
- 01
Conceptualization and thermodynamic design
- 02
Design, simulation and optimization of turbomachinery
- 03
Development of functional prototypes up to production readiness
- 04
Manufacture of turbo components and small gas turbines
- 05
Assembly
- 06
Test bench testing, validation and certification
- 07
Maintenance and servicing
Processes & Competencies
Turbomachinery Design
Compressor, turbine and nozzle design as well as system integration and thermodynamic design.
Simulation & Optimization
Multidisciplinary aerodynamic and structural optimization with fast iteration cycles.
Prototype Development
Development of functional prototypes up to production readiness.
Test Bench Testing
Engine testing for validation and certification on the company's own test bench.
Maintenance & Servicing
Maintenance and servicing of turbo components, small gas turbines and peripherals.
Location
Cologne
DEDevelopment, Manufacturing, Assembly and Testing (Headquarters)
- Lot size
- Series production of relevant quantities
- Materials
- Turbojet engines, turbo components, turbomachinery
- B300 turbojet series
- B350STG turbojet with integrated starter-generator
- Engine test bench
Propulsion Systems & Assemblies
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turbojet engines – manufacturing and assembly (series production, incl. B300 series, B350STG)Assembly | – | – | – | Industrial series production | – |
| Development, engineering and manufacture of turbo components, small gas turbines and peripheralsEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Maintenance and servicing of turbo components, small gas turbines and peripheralsEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Design, simulation and optimization of turbomachinery (compressor, turbine andEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Manufacture of advanced turbomachinery: fans, blowers, compressors and turbinesManufacturing (Turbomachinery) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Test bench testing of propulsion systems (validation/certification, engine testing)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
7 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B300 turbojet engine series (small gas turbine, series-produced) | AeroDesignWorks B300 | – | Thrust range in the lower segment (basis of the product line), ADW prospectively covers thrust | – | Cologne |
| Turbojet with integrated starter-generator | AeroDesignWorks B350STG | – | – | – | Cologne |
| Diagonal compressor (development/manufacturing object) | AeroDesignWorks | – | – | – | Cologne |
| Axial turbine (development/manufacturing object) | AeroDesignWorks | – | – | – | Cologne |
| Axial compressor with tandem stator vane (development/manufacturing object) | AeroDesignWorks | – | – | – | Cologne |
| Signature-optimized engine inlet (development/manufacturing object) | AeroDesignWorks | – | – | – | Cologne |
| Engine test bench | – | – | – | – | Cologne |
Additional services
Quality
AeroDesignWorks operates with a management system certified to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 (certificate no. 50996-0536-QM, IMC GmbH, valid until 20.09.2028) and has its own engine test bench at the Cologne site for testing and validation.
| Evidence | Cologne |
|---|---|
| DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 |
History
- Gründung
Spin-off from the German Aerospace Center (DLR); location Cologne.
- 2026
Acquisition by MTU Aero Engines AG; expansion of MTU's product portfolio with small engines in the range of around 500 N of thrust.