This market is growing in a strong way
With the launch order for the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) just announced, enter PowerJet, a new joint venture firm that will build the engines.
Yesterday saw the formal launch of the new firm, a joint venture between Snecma Moteurs and NPO Saturn. Together they will build the SaM146 regional aircraft engine.
And it was announced that Italian engine systems manufacturer Avio is to become a risk-sharing partner in the programme.
Develop
Its 8.8% share will see it develop and build the engine's combustor sub-assemblies and some gearbox systems.
The 14,000-17,500lb (62-78kN) thrust engine will power all three of the RRJ family which will come in 60-, 75- and 95-seat, basic and long-range versions.
RRJ is being built by Sukhoi in collaboration with Ilyushin, Yakovlev and Boeing and is the first Russian aircraft to be designed and built from the outset to meet Western standards.
The launch customer is Russian carrier Sibir, who ordered 50 of the 95-seat versions in a deal worth an estimated $1 billion.
Sukhoi expects to pick up more orders this year from Russian carriers and has also been talking to a number of Western airlines, including Air France and Finnair.
"PowerJet offers a major opportunity for the Russian aviation industry, at a time when it is ready to re-enter the global regional transportation market," NPO Saturn chief executive Yuri Lastochkin said yesterday.
PowerJet will manage the entire SaM146 programme including design, production, marketing and customer support and services.
Michel Doublier, Snecma general manager regional jet engine programmes, said the order and the creation of PowerJet was the "first step" in the entry into the world market.
"This market is growing in a strong way," he said. "The expected sales of the RRJ will be in excess of 800 aircraft."
He added that the programme was on track for certification and delivery of the first engine by the end of 2007.
Benefit
Customers for the RRJ will benefit from the same engine being used on all three variants, he added.
The lower thrust rating would cover the RRJ-60 (both variants) and the basic version of the RRJ-75. The higher thrust version would power the other three variants.
The first engine will be delivered in September 2006 for a scheduled first flight in October of that year.
Engine assembly and the podding facility will be at the NPO Saturn plant located close to Sukhoi.
MIKE MARTIN
Source: Flight Daily News
