Fifteen years ago, Russia began development of the PD-14 twin-circuit turbojet engine. The main idea of the project was to create a modern, efficient gas generator that could be used in propulsion systems for various aircraft, gas compressor units and power plants. Unification of the gas generator would make it possible to launch mass production of engines of different capacities, thus reducing their cost. But first of all, the PD-14 was intended to be installed on the MS-21 aircraft.
To justify work on the project, the global aircraft engine market was analysed and requirements for fifth-generation civil engines were determined. The analysis made it possible to identify 16 key technologies required to create a promising product. The technical concept of the project was developed, which served as a basis for further work.
On 18 October 2018, Rosaviatsia issued a type certificate for the PD-14 aircraft engine. This event in terms of its significance and impact on the further development of Russian gas turbine engine building can be compared to the breakthrough made in the late 1950s by Soviet civil aviation with the appearance of the first domestic passenger aircraft Tu-104. The certificate was handed over at the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation on 21 December 2018. The PD-14 became the first certified domestic engine for civil aviation that meets international norms and requirements.
The creation of PD-14 has become one of Russia’s most significant projects in the field of aircraft engine building over the past 30 years. It represents not only the development of a competitive engine, but also the technical re-equipment of serial production at the Perm plant, as well as the introduction of high-performance technological processes at the United Engine Corporation enterprises participating in the cooperation for the serial production of PD-14.
At the end of 2020, the MC-21 aircraft with PD-14 engines installed on it performed its maiden flight. Now two prototype aircraft are being modified in Irkutsk into an import-substituted version of the MC-21-310rus. The flight of one of them – flight 73055 – was supposed to take place in November-December 2023, but given the large amount of work that needs to be done to install, test and adjust domestic components and on-board systems, the aircraft will take to the skies in the coming year. Testing of the second 73057 is scheduled to begin in April 2024.
