Engine programme for Russian Regional Jet to be overseen by joint venture established by NPO Saturn and Snecma
NPO Saturn and Snecma have formed a revenue-sharing joint venture, PowerJet, to manage the SM146 engine programme for the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ), as Sukhoi officially names Sibir as launch customer with a firm order for 50 95-seat RRJ-95Bs. Meanwhile, Italy's Avio has joined the SM146 as a risk-sharing partner.
The Sibir order for the largest of the six-member RRJ family, which includes 10 options, "is a good starting point", says Michel Doublier, Snecma general manager, regional jet engine programmes. The Sibir deal is the "de facto" launch of the RRJ, says Sukhoi Civil Aircraft general director Vladimir Ilyin. "Several more contracts" will be signed with Russian airlines this year, he says.
PowerJet is a 50:50 partnership modelled on the General Electric/Snecma joint venture CFM International, but with the additional responsibility for providing engine services, as well as programme management, marketing and support, says Jean-Pierre Cojan, head of Snecma's civil engines division.
Snecma is responsible for the core engine, accessory drive and control system, and Saturn for the fan and low-pressure compressor and turbine. Avio has taken 17.6% of Snecma's stake, 8.8% of the total engine, and will supply the single-annular combustor module and accessory and transfer gearboxes.
Hispano Suiza will supply the engine-control system and Hurel Hispano the nacelle and thrust-reverser as subcontractors, says Cojan. Saturn will assemble the SM146 at Rybinsk, while assembly of the complete propulsion system will be performed at a Hurel Hispano facility close to an RRJ final-assembly line at Sukhoi's KnAAPO and NAPO production plants.
Sukhoi will certificate the RRJ-95 first, with Russian, European and US approval and first deliveries set for December 2007. The 75-seat RRJ-75, originally the first model, will follow six months behind. Maiden flight of the RRJ is set for October 2006. Development will cost $630 million.
Metal cutting for the first SM146 has begun, with testing to get under way in September 2005. Nine test engines are planned, says Cojan. European certification, followed by Russian and US validation, is scheduled for March 2007.
One common engine will cover the entire six-model RRJ range, says Doublier. A lower take-off thrust rating of 13,500lb (60kN) will cover the 65-seat RRJ-65B and base-75B, while a higher rating of 15,400lb will cover the long-range RRJ-75LR and both the base and long-range versions of the RRJ-95.
PowerJet will pursue other applications of the SM146, although second-generation regional jets from Bombardier and Embraer are not expected to emerge for at least 10 years, says Cojan. The joint venture covers the thrust range up to 18,500lb, the lower limit of the CFMI agreement, Doubilier says.
Source: Flight International
