The United Engine Corporation (UEC)-Aviadvigatel has commenced the second phase of ground testing for its PD-35 engine demonstrator. These tests are being conducted at the all-weather, open-air OS-5 test facility in Novye Lyady, near Perm, Russia. Alexander Inozemtsev, Managing Director and Chief Designer at UEC-Aviadvigatel, reported the progress to Russian President Vladimir Putin during his recent working visit to the Perm region.
The OS-5 test stand is Russia’s largest open-air facility for high-thrust gas turbine engines, capable of accommodating engines with thrust ratings up to 50 metric tons (approximately 110,000 lbf).
During the first phase of ground testing in 2024, the PD-35 demonstrator underwent more than 50 engine starts, repeatedly achieving takeoff thrust levels exceeding 35 metric tons (about 77,000 lbf). The current phase focuses on evaluating the performance and durability of the high-pressure compressor blades, high-pressure turbine, and low-pressure turbine shaft, all manufactured from new Russian-developed materials. Engineers are assessing the service life and reliability of these components under maximum load conditions.
The PD-35 is Russia’s first high-thrust gas turbine engine designed for widebody, long-haul aircraft. The engine features a unified gas generator and a thrust range from 24 to 38 metric tons (53,000 to 84,000 lbf). Its design incorporates proven technologies from the serial-production PD-14 engine, alongside new domestic materials and advanced manufacturing methods.
Alexander Grachev, CEO of UEC, also presented President Putin with the production roadmap for UEC-Perm Engines (PAO UEC-Permskie Motory). The plan calls for increasing annual engine output from 100 units in 2025 to 230 units by 2030.
Under this program, production of the PD-14, PS-90A, and PS-90GP engines will ramp up incrementally. In 2025, the company expects to manufacture 40 PS-90A and 10 PD-14 engines. By 2027, output is projected to reach 64 PS-90A and 25 PD-14 units. By 2030, annual production should rise to 100 PS-90A and 80 PD-14 engines, while PS-90GP output will remain steady at 50 units per year.
To support these goals, UEC-Perm Engines will acquire over 1,300 pieces of new manufacturing equipment and undergo technical upgrades, including the construction of new production facilities within a special economic zone to address space constraints at existing sites.
As part of the industry-wide modernization program, 2,798 units of equipment valued at 151.4 billion rubles (approx. $1.6 billion) will be procured for PD-14 and PS-90A production, with 1,342 units (66.2 billion rubles) allocated to UEC-Perm Engines. Additionally, to meet state defense order requirements for the PS-90A, 250 more units of equipment worth 9.8 billion rubles will be purchased, including 46 units (6.3 billion rubles) for Perm Engines.
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