United Engine Corporation (UEC) presented innovative developments in the field of aviation at the Airshow China 2024 aerospace exhibition. The key event was the demonstration of the fifth-generation 177C engine designed for operational-tactical aviation.
“China will host the world premiere of the fifth-generation 177C engine, which has high efficiency and increases the range of operational-tactical aviation aircraft. Reduced fuel consumption in all operating modes reduces operating costs. In addition, the engine provides increased power consumption for powering electronic systems of modern aircraft,” UEC said.
By reducing fuel consumption, the new propulsion system will increase the range of front-line aircraft, the corporation added. UEC refrained from commenting on which aircraft may receive the new engine. Earlier it was reported that the Arkhip Lyulka name Design Bureau has developed a fifth-generation engine izdelie 30 for the Su-57 fighter. This is the second stage powerplant, now serial Su-57s are equipped with AL-41F1 or izdelie 117 engines.
Full-size mock-ups of the fifth-series AL-31FN and SM-100 engines are also on display at the UEC exhibition stand.
“In their creation, technologies and materials characteristic of the fifth generation engines are used. The SM-100 engine is designed in the dimension of AI-225-25 and at the same time has less weight, as well as thrust increased by one third – up to 3300 kgf. New design solutions allow to significantly increase the engine life with reduced thrust requirements, which reduces operating costs. Moreover, a modification for high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles can be created on the basis of the SM-100 engine,” the press service of UEC said.
The new series 5 for the AL-31F, FN and FP engine family is designed for multi-role fighters. The AL-31FN is optimized for single-engine aircraft and has increased reliability. The thrust increased to 14,000 kgf and fuel consumption reduced by six percent expand the operational potential of light combat aircraft in terms of range and altitude.
At Airshow China, UEC is demonstrating full-size mock-ups of the VK-1600V turboshaft engine for medium helicopters, as well as the TV7-117ST-01 turboprop for regional aviation. The hybrid-electric propulsion system based on the VK-650V reflects the current trend of aircraft engine development towards green technologies and environmental friendliness.
Also shown was the modernized RD-93MA with an extended operating life and a thrust increased by 400 kgf, which is 9300 kgf. This engine was developed at UEC-Klimov to power the JF-17 Block III fighter aircraft developed by Pakistan Aircraft Complex (PAC) based on the Chinese JF-17 of Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). This version of the aircraft has been in serial production in Pakistan since December 2020 and is equipped with an AESA radar, RD-93MA engine, larger and more advanced wide-angle cockpit display and electronic warfare capabilities.
“At the Zhuhai exhibition, we are introducing a full-size PD-35 fan blade made of polymer composite materials for the first time abroad. It has a weight 30 percent less than the one made of titanium. During the tests, the engine demonstrated stable operation when reaching the design thrust of 35 tons,” in UEC noted.
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