United Engine Corporation has delivered the first prototype turboshaft engines (TVaD) VK-650V for flight development tests as part of the Ansat helicopter. VK-650V are designed to replace Canadian PW207K engines. This was reported in the press service of UDC.
The prototypes of VK-650V, manufactured at the St. Petersburg enterprise ODK-Klimov, have successfully passed preliminary and resource tests. Currently, the engines are undergoing certification tests at the stands of the Baranov Central Institute of Aviation Motor Engineering (CIAM). At the same time, at the final stage before obtaining permission for the first flight, the power units are being prepared for ground testing as part of the Ansat helicopter.
According to ODK-Klimov VK-650 programme director Evgeny Prodanov, the company completed engineering tests of the VK-650V in 2023, during which the parameters laid down at the design stage were achieved. “Now the technique is being prepared for the start of flight design tests. By the end of 2024, we plan to obtain a type certificate and start serial production next year,” he said.
The design of the VK-650V engine provides the possibility of its adaptation for various aircraft. This engine is already integrated into a hybrid propulsion system, which is an innovative development of ODK-Klimov that combines a traditional gas turbine engine and a modern electric motor. This hybrid propulsion system can be installed on the Partizan ultra-short take-off and landing UAV being developed at SibNIA.
VK-650V is the first Russian helicopter engine in the 650-750 horsepower class. It is designed to replace foreign analogues on Ansat, Ka-226T and VR500 helicopters, as well as on other promising helicopters with take-off weight up to 4 tonnes. In addition, ODK-Klimov sees the potential of supplying this powerplant for Iran’s Saba 248 and Shahed 285 programmes, as well as for China’s Changhe Z-11 multi-purpose light helicopter.
The ODK-Klimov engineers needed to create a simple and reliable design with minimal life cycle costs. A very strict deadline of four years was set for the development. The start of work was given upon completion of the preliminary design at the end of the third quarter of 2019, and the engine was to be certified in 2023. In order to meet the limited timeframe, it was decided to abandon risky technical solutions that could give a noticeable advantage over existing competitors. For example, it is possible to significantly improve the specific fuel consumption characteristics either by increasing the gas temperature upstream of the turbine or by increasing the compression ratio in the compressor. But both of them significantly affect the resource of the power plant, and according to Klimov, it is impossible to carry out the relevant research and development work within the allotted time.
Upon completion of certification VK-650V should receive a resource of 600 hours, and in the future it is planned to switch to operation under the condition with the resource of the main parts of the hot part of 4500 hours or 3000 cycles. For cold parts – up to 9000 hours or 6000 cycles.
At take-off mode the engine develops 650 hp, for a short time, not more than 2.5 minutes, it is allowed to use emergency mode with the power on the engine shaft of 750 hp. The calculated specific fuel consumption in take-off mode will not exceed 245 grams per horsepower per hour and 280 grams in cruising flight mode.
