The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has allocated RUB 1.96 billion (USD 21.5 million) for development work aimed at increasing the service life and expanding the operating envelope of the VK-650V turboshaft engine.
The work is divided into two stages. The first, valued at RUB 485.29 million, covers certification activities to expand the engine’s operating conditions. The second stage, worth RUB 1.48 billion, targets a 300-hour time between scheduled maintenance and a service life of 600 cycles for major engine components. It will also address further expansion of the operating envelope under Russian AP-33 airworthiness requirements.
The programme is scheduled for completion in November 2027. Its results are intended to support serial production and subsequent maintenance of the VK-650V, as well as certification of the Ansat-M and Ka-226T helicopters powered by the engine.
The VK-650V received its type certificate from Klimov in December 2024, with restrictions on operating modes, environmental conditions and service life. Development of the engine began in 2019 using United Engine Corporation (UEC) internal funding. Three prototypes had been built by the end of 2022, followed by resource and certification testing.
Flight and ground testing of the VK-650V is continuing on the Ansat-M, Ka-226T and Mi-34M1 helicopter platforms. The current development effort is intended to remove existing operational restrictions and increase the engine’s maturity for serial production and wider helicopter application.
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