Empire of breakthrough technologies! Russia’s first 5-th generation jet engine

There are only four countries in the world that have technologies for production of civil turbojet engines — USA, France, UK and Russia. However none of the manufacturers produce all of the parts in its own country.

Of course you might think western countries makes all the parts only in cooperation with other western colleagues, however it is far from being a truth. Russia is also a big part of this cooperation. Industrial park located in the city of Ufa produces parts for american aircraft engine giant “Pratt and Whitney”. In the city of Rybinsk french company “Snecma” not only produces separate parts of the passenger jet engines, but also widely invested to Rybinsk itself and it is not only because of Superjet 100 engine Sam 146. United engine corporation “Saturn” located in the same city produces parts for “General electric” and “Snecma” engines — CFM-56.

Despite wide and global cooperation it seems that Russia soon will become number 1 country in the world that produce 5 — th generation passenger jet engines completely on its own. It means not only separate parts of the engine but 100% of the engine as there is not only necessary technologies but materials too.

Company “Technologya” in one of its press-release announced that manufacturer started production number of parts from russian made composites.

ORPE “Texnologya” that is a part of Rostec produced and sent for testing to UEC “Saturn” sound-absorbing structures of the resonant type and burn-in panels made for one of the most perspective russian engines PD-14.

Before those parts also were produced in Russia, however all the materials were foreign made. Because of the government program “import substitution”, in the production of elements for PD-14 “Texnologya” developed and manufactured completely new materials: aluminum and polymer honeycomb fillers, adhesive films, that ensure required characteristics (qualities).

PD-14 engine without doubt can be named fully russian made as all from development and testing to smallest parts are made in Russia.

Another breakthrough technology has been tested for engine PD-35. To sum up the test results of the aircraft engine with blades made of polymer composite materials, in Moscow was held a special press conference where leading constructor of the UEC “Aviadvigatel” Aleksander Inozemcev and deputy general director — head of priority technology development in UEC “Technologii dvigatelestroenia” Valeri Geikin told journalists about new breakthrough technology that is about to be developed for PD-35 engine.

After long period of the development of PD-35 first results had been presented today. Composite blade technology is a key to make this engine. Thing is that metal fan is way too heavy for this engine, because of that to lower the overall weight for that type of engines manufacturers uses composites.

While now Russia does not owns this technology, however there are first prototypes made by this technology that are currently in the process of testing. In 27 July in 2020 PD-35 engine fan designed to be a part of PD-14 engine and made of composites, took its first tests.

Results showed, developers are on the right way and without doubt soon will be able to master this technology.

This technology will allow to reduce fan weight by 30% compared with the one, who has metal made blades in it. Equipped on a way bigger PD-35 they will give considerable effect as it will lower engine weight. However, using them on lighter PD-14 is also under consideration.

It’s important that Russia develops it completely on its own as none of the 3 countries possessing it wants to share it.

However there is no doubt that Russia is capable to crush this obstacle. We are not only developing the technology of laying out and weaving — key technologies in manufacturing composite blades, but the very materials, that are used in making composites too.

According to Aleksander Inozemcev, in making PD-35 engine it is absolutely necessary to master over 20 new technologies that will allow to create cutting-edge, competitive engine. First steps and following results leaves no doubts that it is just a matter of time for Russia to solve this hard task.

Translation and audio: Danielius Karkozas