Engine manufacturer JSC UEC-Klimov has been awarded a Type Certificate for the VK-650V turboshaft engine, designed for light helicopters with a take-off weight of up to four tonnes. The corresponding document was presented to UEC Director General Alexander Grachev by Dmitry Yadrov, Head of Rosaviatsiya (Federal Air Transport Agency), in St. Petersburg. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Anton Alikhanov, and the First Deputy Director General of Rostec, Vladimir Artyakov.
Certification of the VK-650V confirms that the engine’s design meets the established requirements and airworthiness standards, paving the way for its serial production. Development of the VK-650V has been underway since 2019 in the 650-750 hp power class, with the aim of re-engining the Ansat and Ka-226T helicopters, as well as for use on other light helicopters. The application for certification was submitted to Rosaviatsiya in July 2019.
“An aircraft engine is the most complex component of an aircraft. The development and certification of the VK-650V was carried out in record time – just 5 years. The demand for such powerplants is very high with the introduction of sanctions and the departure of foreign suppliers. Today, we can state that our engine manufacturers have coped with this difficult task. Along with new engines for heavy and medium-lift aircraft, there is now our own domestic engine for light helicopters. That is to say, the sanctions have not managed to destroy the Ansat and our other promising programmes,” said Vladimir Artyakov.
According to the Type Certificate Data Sheet FATA-01065E, the first issue of which is dated 28 December 2024, the VK-650V is certified in a variant with a power output of 545 hp in the take-off rating. At maximum continuous power, the engine produces 460 hp, and at cruise power – 400 hp. In a 2.5-minute one-engine-inoperative (OEI) contingency rating, the VK-650V develops 630 hp, and in a continuous power rating – 590 hp.
It is anticipated that in the future, following additional certification testing, major change approvals will be issued to increase the engine’s power to its design values – 650 hp in the take-off rating and 750 hp in the 2.5-minute OEI contingency rating. At the current stage, the VK-650V is certified with an interval until first overhaul and an initial time before overhaul (TBO) for the free turbine shaft of just under 75 hours, and an initial life limit for the remaining major components of 100 cycles.
The VK-650V programme is being implemented in cooperation with other UEC enterprises, including MMP named after V.V. Chernyshev, UEC-UMPO and PC Salut UEC. These enterprises are involved in the production of individual components and assemblies, providing a comprehensive approach to project implementation.
The first run of the VK-650V demonstrator engine took place in January 2021, and the first prototype was assembled by the end of that year. Two more prototypes were manufactured in 2022. Engineering tests were completed by May 2023, and, together with CIAM (Central Institute of Aviation Motors), independent tests of the compressor and combustion chamber.
A mock-up of the VK-650V was presented at the Army Forum in August 2024 as part of the first modified Ka-226T Alpinist produced by the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant. In addition, tests of the VK-650V began on the upgraded Mi-34M1 light single-engine helicopter in October last year.
The first flight of the Ansat helicopter with the VK-650V engine is scheduled for April 2025. This was announced by Dmitry Yadrov, Head of Rosaviatsiya, during the Type Certificate presentation ceremony. According to him, work is currently underway on the certification of the import-substituted version of the helicopter.
“A number of rig tests have already been completed, including on the static strengt
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h of the rotor. Therefore, we plan to complete this work by the end of this year, and the first flight is scheduled for April of this year in order to complete all these activities,” he said.
According to the current edition of the Comprehensive Programme for the Development of the Aviation Industry until 2030, the first eight production VK-650Vs are planned to be manufactured this year. It is expected that the production volume will gradually increase to 70 engines per year.
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