PBS Velká Bíteš

První brněnská strojírna Velká Bíteš, a. s.^[1] ("First Brno Engineering Plant", known as PBS VB) is a Czech engineering and manufacturing company, specializing in aerospace, mechanical engineering and precision casting. It is headquartered in Velká Bíteš. ^[2] Together with PBS Energo, a.s.;^[3] PBS INDIA ^[4] and PBS Aerospace Inc.,^[5] PBS VB is a member of PBS GROUP, a.s.^[6]

První brněnská strojírna Velká Bíteš, a. s.

PBS Velká Bíteš Factory
Company type	Joint-stock company
Industry	mechanical engineering, aerospace, precision casting
Founded	1950
Headquarters	Velká Bíteš
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Milan Macholan, CEO
Products	Jet engines, Auxiliary power units, Environmental control systems; Precision casting, Cryogenic, Electroplating services
Number of employees	800
Parent	PBS Group, a.s. (100%)
Website	www.pbs.cz/en/

PBS GROUP is an engineering company with over 200 years of tradition. It provides cutting-edge engineering solutions for a range of industries, including aerospace, defense, cryogenic technology, and precision casting.

The aerospace sector is the cornerstone of PBS GROUP's operations, offering a comprehensive range of services that includes in-house design, development, production, testing, certification, and maintenance.

The company's product portfolio includes:

• Small turbojet engines for missiles, aerial targets, and other UAV systems
• Turboprop and turboshaft engines for both civil and defense applications
• Auxiliary power units (APU) for aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs
• Environmental control systems (ECS) for aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs

History

The history of PBS VB has been closely related to the company PBS Brno, originally founded in 1814 by Jan Reiff, who established a textile mill near Brno.^[2] As the company was growing, new facilities were built. PBS VB was established in 1950 in Velká Bíteš, Czech Republic to support the industrial development of the region.

The first products produced in PBS VB were hammer drills and parts for mining and metallurgical pneumatic tools. In 1951 the production of fittings started.^[7]

Modernisation and extension of the production capacities connected with an investment casting hall construction were finished in 1970. At the same time, the company entered the aviation world by developing an auxiliary power unit for Aero L-39 Albatros aircraft.^[8]

After gaining experience in the technology of auxiliary power units and environmental control systems, in 2004 PBS VB expanded its product portfolio and included propulsion units – turbojet, turboshaft and turboprop engines for small crewed or uncrewed aircraft, UAVs and target drones.^[9]

PBS VB delivers its products globally and since the 1970s more than 7,000 pieces of turbine equipment for the aerospace industry have been manufactured by PBS VB in total.^[10]

Recent Developments (2024–2025)

In 2025, PBS GROUP announced record investments exceeding 700 million CZK aimed at expanding production in Velká Bíteš, responding to rising global demand for its jet propulsion systems. Production volumes have grown 800% over three years, with the workforce reaching around 700. The US facility shifted to independent jet engine manufacturing in Georgia, and further expansions are ongoing in India. Turnover in 2024 surpassed 2 billion CZK. ^[11][12]

Organization

PBS VB is a member of the PBS GROUP composed of;

• PBS Energo, a.s. active in the power industry
• PBS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED established as a subsidiary of PBS GROUP and operating from Bengaluru, plays a key role in the group’s international strategy by providing advanced propulsion systems, auxiliary power units, and environmental control systems tailored for the Indian defense and aviation market. ^[13]
• PBS Aerospace Inc., a subsidiary of the PBS GROUP, is responsible for expanding the business activities in the field of aerospace technology, especially on the American markets
• PBS Velká Bíteš, a. s. a manufacturer of power units and other equipment in the field of aerospace

PBS VB has its headquarters in the Czech Republic with other locations in the USA and India.^[14]

The company is approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)^[15] holding the DOA (Design Organization),^[16] POA (Production Organization)^[17] and MOA (Maintenance Organization)^[18] approvals and is ISO 9001^[19] and ISO 14001 certified.^[20]

Among others, the PBS is a member of the DSIA (Defence and Security Industry Association Czech Republic)^[21] and ALV Czech Republic (Association of the Czech Aerospace Industry).^[22]

Products and services

PBS VB specialises in the design and development of small jet engines for aircraft, UAVs and target drones;^[23] auxiliary power units and environmental control systems for aircraft and helicopters along with all the connected manufacturing processes including precision casting, hi-tech machining of metals and subsequent assembly of finished products.^[24]

Apart from aviation equipment, PBS VB offers products and services in areas of precision casting (turbine wheels, turbine blades, spinner disks for insulation wool and femoral components),^[25] cryogenic technology (helium expansion turbines, compressors and pumps)^[26] and electroplating services.

Aerospace products

Turbojet engines

Engine name	Max thrust	Outer diameter	Length	Weight
PBS TJ40-G1[27]	395 N	147mm	304mm	3.3 kg
PBS TJ40-G2	395 N	147mm	373mm	3.8 kg
PBS TJ80-120[28]	1,200 N	235 mm	514mm	12.8 kg
PBS TJ100[29]	1,300 N	272mm	625mm	19.5 kg
PBS TJ150[30]	1,500 N	272mm	520mm	19.6 kg
PBS TJ200[31]	2,280 N	246mm	730mm	28 kg
AI-PBS-350[32]	3400 N	298mm	706mm	51 kg

• 
  PBS TJ80
• 
  PBS TJ100

Turboprop engines

• PBS TP100 – Max. power: 180 kW, electrical power output: 720 W, length: 891 mm, weight: 61.6 kg

Turboshaft engines

• PBS TS100ZA – Max. power: 180 kW, 5978 rpm, electrical power output: 720 W, length: 829 mm, weight: 56.7 kg
• PBS TS100DA – Max. power: 180 kW, 2158 rpm, electrical power output: 720 W, length: 881 mm, weight: 61.3 kg^[33]

Auxiliary power units

SAFIR 5K/G MI

• SAFIR 5K/G MI – power supply: 3x 115 V/200 V/ 400 Hz, max. bleed air: 28.3 kg/min, max. altitude: 6,000 m, weight: 64 kg. The unit is designed to deliver compressed air for starting the main engines and to supply AC to the deck network of medium heavy helicopters.
• SAFIR 5K/G MIS – power supply: 28 V DC, max. bleed air: 28.3 kg/min, max. altitude: 6,000 m, weight: 57 kg. The unit is designed to deliver compressed air for starting the main engines and to supply AC to the deck network of medium heavy helicopters.
• SAFIR 5L – max. bleed air: 32 kg/min, max. altitude: 8,000 m, weight: 42 kg. The unit is designed to supply compressed air for starting the main engines of subsonic light aircraft.
• SAFIR 5K/G Z8 – power supply: 3x 115 V/200 V/ 400 Hz, max. altitude: 6,000 m, weight: 48.5 kg. The unit is designed to supply AC for starting the main engines, as well as to the deck network of medium heavy helicopter.

Environmental control systems

All systems are designed for air-conditioning and ventilation of the main cockpit and other parts of the machine.^[34]

Metallurgy and precision casting

Turbine blades

PBS VB produces wheels, blades and components made predominantly from IN 713C, IN 713LC and MarM247, i.e. nickel and cobalt-based alloys:^[35]

Turbine wheels (weight: 0.15 – 44 kg, dimensions: ø50 - ø400 mm).

Turbine blades and gas turbine segments (weight: 0.1 – 30 kg, length: 50 – 400 mm).

Spinner discs for the production of glass wool-based insulation made from nickel-based superalloys 141I or 2.4879, or of Co alloys. Alloy 141I is a developed directly in PBS for the spinners with long life durability.^[36]

Femoral components (10 various types of cobalt-based knee replacements).^[37]