Aero Design Works

What Aero Design Works does

AeroDesignWorks GmbH is a Cologne-based developer and manufacturer of miniaturized turbojet engines and micro turbine propulsion systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), target platforms, and next-generation guided missile systems. Founded in 2011 as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the company covers the full value chain — aerodynamic and structural optimization, compressor/turbine/nozzle design, system integration, prototype development, and series production — at its Cologne manufacturing site. The product portfolio centers on the B300 series-produced turbojet and the B350STG variant with integrated starter-generator, with a stated capability roadmap extending to 10 kN thrust classes. AeroDesignWorks is ISO 9001 certified and positions itself as a European-source supplier for both military UAV and guided weapon applications.

The company generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of turbojet engines to defense contractors, UAV manufacturers, and military customers (including target drone applications), supplemented by professional engineering services covering turbomachinery design, simulation, and optimization. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales with close customer contact and rapid iteration cycles, targeting a small set of named accounts including Airbus (Perlan Glider, target drones) and government defense programs. In April 2026, AeroDesignWorks was acquired by MTU Aero Engines AG as a wholly owned subsidiary, with the target retained as a legally independent entity to preserve startup agility while gaining access to industrial-scale production resources and MTU's defense industry distribution channels — positioning the company as MTU's entry point into European UAV and guided missile propulsion markets.

Name

Aero Design Works

Legal name

AeroDesignWorks GmbH

Website

https://aerodesignworks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AeroDesignWorks GmbH is a Cologne-based developer and manufacturer of miniaturized turbojet engines for UAVs, target drones, and guided missile systems, serving defense and aerospace customers as a wholly owned subsidiary of MTU Aero Engines AG since April 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Propulsion Systems

NAICS

Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (336412), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415)

SIC

Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Turbojet Engines (IMABADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military Aerospace Engines & Propulsion (IMABAMAD), Engine Modules & Hot-Section Components (Compressors/Turbines/Combustors) (IMABADAJ)

Keywords

• Turbojet engines
• UAV propulsion systems
• Guided missile propulsion
• Turbomachinery engineering
• Small gas turbines

Headquarters

HQ city

Coulogne

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Turbojet Engine Sales: Sale of series-produced turbojet engines including B300 and B350STG models to UAV manufacturers, defense contractors, and military customers. Revenue derived from product deliveries with long-term aftermarket potential.
2. Engineering Services: Comprehensive turbomachinery engineering services including design, simulation, optimization, and development of fully functional prototypes through to series production. Multidisciplinary engineering with rapid iteration cycles and close customer contact.
3. UAV Propulsion Systems: Propulsion solutions for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and guided missile systems. Combines startup agility with industrial manufacturing capabilities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AeroDesignWorks develops and manufactures highly efficient turbojet engines (B300 Engine Series and B350STG) for unmanned aerial vehicles, target platforms, and next-generation guided missile systems, with thrust capabilities extending to 10 kN. The company also provides comprehensive turbomachinery engineering services spanning aerodynamic and structural optimization, compressor/turbine/nozzle design, system integration, and thermodynamic design through to series production.

Product overview

AeroDesignWorks develops and manufactures highly efficient turbojet engines and propulsion systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), target platforms, and next-generation guided missile systems. The company operates as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and covers the entire value chain from conception through development, validation, certification, to production and final testing. The product portfolio includes the B300 engine series (series-produced turbojet for lower thrust applications), the B350STG (turbojet with integrated starter-generator), and broader turbojet engines. The company also offers multidisciplinary engineering services encompassing turbomachinery design, simulation, and optimization. The capability spectrum extends to thrust classes of 10 kN.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• B300 Engine Series Series-produced turbojet engine system for the lower thrust range, battle-proven and reliably deployed in various airborne applications including target display and UAV platforms.
• B350STG Turbojet Turbojet engine with integrated starter-generator, designed for demanding UAV and guided missile missions requiring compact design and modular integration.
• Turbomachinery Engineering Services Comprehensive expertise in turbomachinery design, simulation, and optimization, including aerodynamic and structural optimization, compressor/turbine/nozzle design, system integration, and thermodynamic design through to series production. Offered with multidisciplinary engineering, rapid iteration cycles, and close customer contact.

Quantifiable outcome

• Battle-proven B300 turbojet deployed in various airborne applications
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered foundational and core.

• German Aerospace Centre (DLR)foundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerAeroDesignWorks was founded in 2011 as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), inheriting comprehensive expertise in turbomachinery design, simulation, and optimization. This origin provides the technological foundation for the company's propulsion systems development capabilities.
• AirbuscoreTechnology or IntegrationAirbus is a key customer using AeroDesignWorks turbojet engines and technology for applications including the Perlan Glider project. The company also manufactures drives for target display and UAV applications for Airbus programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• GKN Aerospace: European aerospace tier-1 supplier with engine components and propulsion-adjacent capabilities. Comparable as a European defense propulsion ecosystem participant, though GKN's scope is broader than small turbojets.
• Safran Aircraft Engines: European propulsion leader offering military and commercial engines. Overlaps with AeroDesignWorks as a defense propulsion supplier in the European ecosystem, though Safran operates at much larger thrust classes.
• Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris): US propulsion and missile systems house now part of L3Harris. Comparable as a defense propulsion supplier to guided-weapon and missile-system integrators, with broader missile/airframe scope than AeroDesignWorks.
• MTU Aero Engines AG: Parent company since April 2026 and a major commercial/military aero engine manufacturer. Comparable as a broad propulsion incumbent, though MTU's portfolio centers on large commercial and military engines rather than small UAV-class turbojets.
• Pratt & Whitney: Global aerospace propulsion incumbent with both military and small-engine programs (e.g., small turbofans for cruise missiles). Broadly comparable for capability and customer overlap though operating at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Williams International: US-based specialist manufacturer of small turbojet and turbofan engines used in cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and UAVs. Directly comparable to AeroDesignWorks in product category, customer base, and small-thrust propulsion focus.
• MBDA: European guided-weapon systems integrator. Comparable as a customer-adjacent propulsion buyer for missile propulsion, and an indicator of the European missile ecosystem in which AeroDesignWorks operates.
• Kratos Turbine Technologies: Developer of small turbojet and turbofan engines for unmanned aircraft, cruise missiles, and target drones. Direct competitor in the small-thrust military propulsion segment with overlapping customer types.

Regional players

• Avio Aero: GE Aerospace–owned Italian propulsion specialist serving European military and civil programs. Comparable as a European regional propulsion supplier operating in adjacent defense engine categories.

Emerging players

• Baykar: Turkish UAV/drone manufacturer with growing propulsion ambitions. Comparable as a fast-growing defense UAV ecosystem player whose engine requirements create a similar customer profile to AeroDesignWorks' end markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aerodesignworks-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aero Design Works