Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm

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Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm
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Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) was a West German aerospace manufacturer. It was formed during the late 1960s as the result of efforts to consolidate the West German aerospace industry; aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt AG merged with the civil engineering and aviation firm Bölkow in 1968, while rival aircraft manufacturer Hamburger Flugzeugbau was acquired by the company in the following year.

The company was responsible for the development and manufacture of various aircraft during its existence. Among its best-known products were the MBB Bo 105 light twin-engine helicopter and its enlarged derivative, the MBB/Kawasaki BK 117. MBB was also a key early partner on the Airbus A300, a wide-body twin-jet airliner; the company's involvement in the A300's development and production led to it forming a key component of the multinational Airbus consortium. It was also involved in numerous experimental aircraft programmes, such as the MBB Lampyridae, an aborted stealth aircraft.

The ownership and assets of MBB changed drastically throughout its roughly two decades of existence. The company was bought by

Airbus Group
.

History

The fourth MBB Bo 105 prototype in the Deutsches Museum in Munich
A BK 117 B2 of the German Police, in Düsseldorf, October 2005

On 6 June 1968,

Robert Bosch GmbH and 6.15% by Friedrich Krupp GmbH.[2]

Perhaps the most successful product produced primarily by MBB was the

fibreglass.[3] On 13 October 1970, the German Civil Aviation Authority certified the Bo 105; initial deliveries for the first customers, ADAC Air Rescue and the Bavarian State Police, took place shortly thereafter. During 1972, an improved version of the rotorcraft with more powerful engines, the Bo 105C, was developed, this model quickly superseded the Bo 105A.[4] Following its introduction to service in 1970, the Bo 105 quickly proved to be a commercial success. Production continued until 2001; by the end of production, 1,406 rotorcraft had been manufactured and delivered to operators in 55 nations worldwide.[4] It served as the basis for several derivatives, such as the MBB/Kawasaki BK 117.[5]

Having established a reputation for reliability and safety, MBB, along with one of its major

flight controls and hydraulic system while Kawasaki undertook the development of the landing gear, airframe, main transmission, electrical system and other minor components.[7] Each company established its own final assembly line for the type, on which they produced the rotorcraft to meet demands within their respective local markets.[9][7]

An even more advanced derivative of the Bo 105, initially designated by MBB as the Bo 108 began development during the 1970s. The company developed it in partnership with France's Aérospatiale; the Bo 108 was originally intended to be a technology demonstrator, combining attributes of the successful Bo 105 with new advances and an aerodynamically streamlined design.[10][11] Technologies included the first full-authority digital engine controls (FADEC) on a helicopter, a hingeless main rotor, and the adoption of a new transmission. First flown on 17 October 1988, a production version was introduced as the Eurocopter EC135 during the early 1990s which, like its Bo 105 ancestor, achieved similar commercial success.[10]

A Lufthansa A300B4-600R lands at Frankfurt Airport in 2003. Lufthansa retired its A300 fleet on 1 July 2009

Perhaps the most important partnership that MBB was involved in was the Airbus A300. On 26 September 1967, the British, French, and West German governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding to start development of the A300.[12][13][14] At this point, the A300 was only the second major joint aircraft programme in Europe, the first being the Anglo-French Concorde.[15] Under the terms of the memorandum, Britain and France were each to receive a 37.5 per cent work share on the project, while Germany received a 25 per cent share. France's Sud Aviation was recognized as the lead company for A300, while Hawker Siddeley was selected as the British partner company.[16] On 29 May 1969, during the Paris Air Show, French transport minister Jean Chamant and German economics minister Karl Schiller signed an agreement officially launching the Airbus A300, the world's first twin-engine widebody airliner.[16] The project intended to produce an aircraft that was smaller, lighter, and more economical than its three-engine American rivals, the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar.[17]

Shortly after the Paris Air Show agreement, it was decided that, to provide effective management of responsibilities, a

Deutsche Aerospace of Germany, each receiving a 50 per cent stake in the newly formed company.[17][18][19] On 15 March 1974, type certificates were granted for the A300 from both German and French authorities, clearing the way for its entry into revenue service.[20] Ten years after the official launch of the A300, the company had achieved a 26 per cent market share in terms of dollar value, enabling Airbus Industries to proceed with the development of its second aircraft, the Airbus A310.[20]

During 1981, MBB acquired rival company

European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) during 2000. The former assets of the DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, for the most part, presently operate as "Airbus Germany".[21]

Subsidiaries

  • MBB-Liftsystems AG, which produces lifting systems for trucks and vans
  • MBB-Sondertechnik (today FHS Förder– und Hebesysteme GmbH), developed wind rotors in the 1980s and 1990s, and lifting systems for military use.
  • MBB Gelma GmbH, produces timekeeping units and machine control units (today owned by
    DORMA KG
    )
  • MBB Group AG

Aircraft

MBB Bo 108, later known as Eurocopter EC 135

Partnerships

Rockwell-MBB X-31, one of two X-31 Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability Demonstrator aircraft (top)

Missiles

Partnerships

Space hardware

Uncrewed spacecraft

Crewed spacecraft

Other

  • DB Class 420 commuter trainsets in Stuttgart
    DB Class 420 commuter trainsets in Stuttgart
  • DB ICE 1 (Class 401) high-speed trainset in Munich
    DB ICE 1 (Class 401) high-speed trainset in Munich
  • MBTA CTC-3 cab car at Ruggles station
    MBTA CTC-3 cab car at Ruggles station

References

Citations

  1. ^ Komos, Nick (August 1989). Air Progress. p. 76. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ Commerzbank AG: "Wer gehört zu wem", Hamburg 1985, 15. Auflage.
  3. ^ Rieck, Joan M. "Bölkow's Bo105." Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Flight International, 18 May 1967, p. 794.
  4. ^ a b Gotzhein, Christina. "Eurocopter Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Maiden Flight of the BO105, the World's First Light Twin-Turbine Production Helicopter." Archived 19 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine Eurocopter, 15 February 2007.
  5. ^ McCellan 1986, p. 64.
  6. ^ McCellan 1986, pp. 64, 66.
  7. ^ a b c McCellan 1986, p. 66.
  8. ^ Air International April 1989, p. 163.
  9. ^ Air International April 1989, p. 164.
  10. ^ a b Pope, Stephen. "Eurocopter EC 135". Flying Magazine, 18 May 2012.
  11. ^ Benenson, Tom. "The EC135: Melding form & Function." Flying Magazine, April 2004. Vol. 131, No. 4. pp. 86–91.
  12. ^ Simons 2014, p. 38.
  13. ^ Endres 2004, p. 43.
  14. ^ Pitt and Norsworthy 2012, p. 57.
  15. ^ Senguttuvan 2006, pp. 33–34.
  16. ^ a b c "Early days (1967–1969)." Archived 5 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Airbus, Retrieved: 28 February 2016.
  17. ^ a b "First order, first flight (1970–1972)." Archived 1 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine Airbus, Retrieved: 28 February 2016.
  18. ^ Simons 2014, p. 39.
  19. ^ Bowen 2010, p. 50.
  20. ^ a b "Champagne ... and drought (1973–1977)." Archived 1 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine Airbus, Retrieved: 28 February 2016.
  21. ^ Answers.com (n.d.). [1]. Retrieved 22 March 2007.

General sources

External links

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