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Textron Lycoming, Detroit Diesel to Develop Aero Engine

31 July 1998

Textron Lycoming, Detroit Diesel to Develop Aero Engine

    DETROIT, Mich., July 31 -- A new aero-diesel engine
development program has been initiated by Textron Lycoming of Williamsport,
Pennsylvania, and Detroit Diesel Corporation of Detroit, Michigan.
Under the terms of a recently-signed agreement, the two companies will share
responsibility for the design, development, certification and manufacture of
aero-diesel engines, should performance, reliability and market targets be
met.
    As part of its ongoing research and development, the feasibility of diesel
powerplants has been under study at Lycoming for more than a decade.  The new
program will study the applicability of a 200 horsepower, turbocharged engine
for general aviation applications.  A prototype engine has been placed in a
Lycoming test cell for evaluation.
    The two companies believe the time is right, for several reasons, to
develop and market aero-diesel powerplants.
    Jim Koerner, Lycoming president, said the appeal is strong for aero-
diesels in remote areas, and countries where aviation gasoline is scarce.
"The wide availability of jet fuel makes diesel engines attractive as
powerplants," he said.  "Plus, the increased fuel efficiency fits well with
aircraft engine design goals.  With new lighter alloys, we can also see
significant reductions in the dry weight of these engines, long known as
efficient, but heavy."
    "The long history and vast knowledge of diesel technology of our partner,
Detroit Diesel, points up a tremendous opportunity to develop, jointly, a line
of aircraft engines complimentary to our renowned gasoline engines.  The time
is right and the market is ready for new product developments," he added.
    A timeline for program development and certification has yet to be
established.  Together, the two companies will agree on one, once further
technical feasibility and intense market research studies have been conducted.
Both Detroit Diesel and Lycoming are, however, pursuing the aero-diesel
program with full production as a goal.  Koerner commented, "We think this is
a program worth pursuing, and together, we are looking to make it a success."
    Textron Lycoming is a division of Textron Inc. , a $10.5
billion global, multi-industry company with market-leading operations in the
aircraft, automotive, industrial and finance sectors.
    Detroit Diesel Corporation is engaged in the design, manufacture, sale and
service of heavy-duty diesel and alternative fuel engines, automotive diesel
engines, and engine-related products; and provides financing through Detroit
Diesel Capital Corporation.  The Company offers a complete line of diesel
engines from ten to 10,000 horsepower for the on-highway; off-road;
automotive; and power generation markets.  Detroit Diesel services these
markets directly and through a worldwide network of more than 2,500 authorized
distributors and dealers.  DDC is a QS-9000 certified company.
    Detroit Diesel's major shareholder is Penske Corporation, a closely-held,
diversified transportation services company whose operations include Penske
Truck Leasing Company, Diesel Technology Company, Penske Automotive Group,
Inc., Penske Auto Centers, Inc., Penske Motorsports, Inc., and Penske Capital
Partners.  The Penske group of businesses has annual revenues exceeding $6
billion and employs more than 28,000 people around the world.
    Detroit Diesel's World Wide Web address is http://www.detroitdiesel.com.