Photo credit: www.yahoo.com

Rostec Successfully Tests New Engine for Superjet-100

Rostec has announced a successful test flight of its regional jet, the Superjet-100, featuring a domestically produced engine. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to adapt the aircraft following significant reliance on Western components.

The state-owned conglomerate is working diligently to retrofit the Superjet-100 with Russian-made parts to counteract supply disruptions caused by international sanctions. These efforts come as the corporation aims to secure certification for the modified aircraft within the current year.

On Monday, Rostec revealed that its test flight lasted 40 minutes, demonstrating the capability of the Yakovlev Superjet-100 to operate with the new PD-8 engine, which substitutes an engine previously sourced from a French supplier.

This push to “Russify” the aircraft comes in response to sanctions that have jeopardized the supply of critical components. For instance, avionics were initially provided by the French company Thales, while American firms handled flight controls and auxiliary power systems. Consequently, the sanctions have created significant challenges in maintaining flight safety and operational efficiency within Russia’s commercial fleet.

Rostec’s ambitious plan aims to replace all foreign components in the Superjet series and achieve certification by 2025, with an eye towards fulfilling an order of 89 of these newly “Russified” jets by 2030.

The concept of replacing foreign parts was initially proposed in 2021, but the urgency of the situation intensified following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which resulted in further isolation from international markets.

CEO Sergey Chemezov noted the challenges of this project, stating, “After 2022, the Superjet will have to be essentially reassembled from scratch.” He articulated concerns about meeting the projected timeline, acknowledging that the schedule is tight even by global aviation industry standards.

The Superjet-100 was introduced in 2011 as Russia’s competitor to regional aircraft like the Embraer E-jets and the Bombardier CRJ, accommodating around 100 passengers for shorter routes akin to flights from New York to Miami.

Rostec, along with its subsidiary, the United Aircraft Corporation, has been progressively updating the Superjet by replacing foreign parts and conducting extensive testing. A previous prototype flew for 54 minutes in August 2023, but it utilized the old French-Russian engine, the PowerJet SaM146.

Following the recent successful test flight of the PD-8 engine, the company anticipates securing the necessary certification for this Russian component by fall.

With Russia facing significant sanctions from the international market, Rostec might find it challenging to sell the “Superjet-New” to foreign airlines.

Additionally, Rostec is working to substitute foreign components in its main airliner, the MC-21. Aeroflot, Russia’s flagship airline, has placed orders for a total of 339 Russified aircraft, covering both the Superjet-New and the MC-21.

The U.S. Treasury Department and the European Commission did not provide comments regarding the Superjet tests when contacted outside of regular business hours.

For further details, you can refer to the original article on Business Insider.

Source
www.yahoo.com