MTU Aero Engines and Sagem have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form a joint venture in the field of the development of safety-critical software and hardware for military and civil aviation applications. Located at the MTU campus in Munich, Germany, the new company is planned to start its operations in 2012.

The 50/50 joint venture will gather some 200 engineers, mainly from the current MTU organisation. Main products will include safety-critical engine controls for programmes such as TP400-D6 for the A400M military transport aircraft, as well as further safety-critical hardware and software solutions such as controls for landing gear, braking, monitoring information systems.