Photo: United Engine Corporation
Rostec’s United Engine Corporation successfully completed the first stage of testing the PD-8 gas generator for SSJ-NEW planes. Specialists of UEC-Saturn (Rybinsk) tested its launch and operation in a slow mode and in other modes. The full-size gas generator specimen will be presented at the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2021.
The gas generator which is called the ‘heart’ of an aircraft engine consists of a high-pressure compressor and a combustion chamber – this part drives the power unit.
As part of tests, estimates and experiments were carried out, and the optimal configuration of the gas generator (its electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems) was found. After that, specialists launched “hot” starts of the engine using real jet fuel, which were successful.
“PD-8 is the ‘youngest’ one among Rostec’s aircraft engines, which is designed for short-range aircraft. The gas generator of this power unit was assembled and installed on a test stand in May. During the first phase of tests, specialists successfully launched the engine and operated it in a slow mode. The tests confirmed that the design solutions were correct. This experience will be taken into account when subsequent gas generator samples and test samples of the PD-8 engine will be made and tested,” said Rostec speaker.
The PD-8 engine is being jointly created by UEC enterprises for SSJ-NEW – an upgraded version of the aircraft, which will be widely used for import substitution. The design of the power unit includes technologies which were tested during creation of the PD-14 engine for medium-range aircraft.
Currently, SSJ-100 have SaM146 turbofan engines designed by UEC-Saturn together with the French company Snecma in the first half of the 2000s. The French party makes gas generators for power units.
As it has already been reported, Rostec is also developing the PD-35 engine for wide-body long-range planes, which is the largest aircraft engine in Russia. This is one of the largest projects in the Russian aircraft industry. Engines with such characteristics had never been previously created in the USSR and Russia.
