The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is planning to replace the French-Russian SaM146 engines on the existing SSJ100 aircraft fleet with PD-8 engines. The remotorization project is under discussion together with airlines and lessors.
During the forum Army-2022 Yuri Slyusar, UAC general director said that the task for the next few years is to keep the whole fleet of 150 Superjets in good working order as long as possible.
At that time Red Wings airlines announced availability of the alternative propulsion system for SSJ100 as a positive factor. The carrier is waiting for the appearance of the PD-8 engine and counts on the possibility of re-motorization of the existing fleet of Superjets.
On February 8, 2023, during the exhibition NAIS-2023 CEO of UAC said that the replacement of the SaM146 engines, including the cost of the turbines themselves, is comparable to the residual value of the SSJ100. Technically it is possible to implement re-motorization of the airplane, the unsolved problems with the airlines and the state are economic issues, Yuri Slyusar pointed out. In particular, the “considerable cost” of the new PD-8, he said.
“Therefore, with the residual value of the aircraft, for example, 500 million rubles (near about $6 700 000), we will have to buy new components for a comparable amount – if not more,” Slyusar explained. The airlines want Russia to learn how to overhaul the SaM146, he said. Russian specialists are currently mastering the gas generator of this engine.
Yuri Slyusar said that there are several dozen SaM146 engines in reserve. However, they are not planned to be installed on the SSJ-New aircraft since these engines are required to maintain the existing SSJ100 aircraft fleet.
The SaM146 was created jointly by the French company Safran and the Russian NPO Saturn. The hot part (gas generator) of the engine was repaired only in France. The PD-8 engine will replace the SaM146 in the SSJ-New and Be-200, flight tests are currently underway. Certification of the engine is scheduled for the end of 2023.
