The prototype Superjet aircraft made its first flight with domestic PD-8 engines. It took place in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and marked the beginning of flight tests of the PD-8 as part of the Superjet,” Rostec states
The work on the Superjet import substitution program is carried out by a large cooperation of enterprises under the auspices of the Yakovlev company, part of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). The new Russian power plants were created by specialists of the United Engine Corporation (UEC)
As part of the work, about 40 imported systems and assemblies are being replaced, including the engine, avionics, landing gear, integrated control system, and others. The aircraft also received a domestic fuselage, which was modified to simplify the production and maintenance of the aircraft.
“The Superjet aircraft import substitution project is being implemented in a very short time by the standards of the global aircraft industry. After 2022, the aircraft actually has to be reassembled,” Rostec State Corporation said.
“Russia needs full-scale import substitution in the aviation industry and in the field of air transportation. The approved comprehensive program for the development of the aviation industry is an important step along this path, as well as the implementation of decisions previously taken by the Head of State on the development of the Russian aviation industry,” said Alexander Galushka, a member of the Board of Directors of the United Aircraft Corporation.
The plane was in the air for about 40 minutes, reached a speed of 500 km/ h and an altitude of up to 3,000 m. The flight marked the beginning of flight tests of a domestic power plant as part of an imported airliner.
During the flight, the assessment of the gas dynamic stability of the engines in different modes was carried out. The power plant has shown stable operation, the flight mission has been completed in full.
The project is being implemented by a cooperation of enterprises led by UAC, the PD-8 engine is being created by the United Engine Corporation (both companies are part of Rostec).
“To intensify certification tests, the manufacturer plans to connect a third, fully Russian SJ-100 to them. We expect that this work will be carried out on schedule, and the state provides the necessary financial and resource support to aircraft manufacturers in full,” said Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.