GENERAL ELECTRIC and Russia's Rybinsk Motors are setting up a joint venture, Rybinsk GE Aviation Motors, to manufacture and support in Russia the US company's CT7 turboprop and turboshaft engines.
GE Aircraft Engines vice-president Tracey Homburg says that some $600 million is being made available in launch capital, with each side putting up $150 million in cash. The rest is being made up of property and equipment.
As well as addressing the Russian market for the CT7, Homburg says that the aim is to "-also be able to use them [Rybinsk-produced engines] on the world market."
The tie-up on the CT7 is initially aimed at the Sukhoi S-80 twin-boom utility transport and the Kamov Ka-64 twin-engined helicopter. Kamov and Italian helicopter manufacturer Agusta are discussing possible collaboration on this programme, but the outcome of these talks is uncertain.
The S-80 project, by comparison, appears more concrete, with two aircraft (a static test rig and the first flight-test article) now under construction at Komolsk-on-Amur. The S-80 is expected to have its maiden flight in the second quarter of 1997. CT7 engines will be provided on loan for S-80 prototypes, and for the Ka-64, should the project proceed.
Sukhoi, more traditionally associated with combat aircraft, has redesigned the S-80 since it decided to adopt the CT7.
Source: Flight International