Engine programme set for industrial launch after Moscow air show in August
Power Jet hopes to launch industrial development of the SaM146 turbofan for the Sukhoi Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) after August’s MAKS2005 air show in Moscow. This is when Sukhoi expects to finalise firm orders with launch customers for the 75- to 95-seat regional jet.
Power Jet, a 50/50 joint venture between Snemca and NPO Saturn, is a risk-sharing partner in the RRJ and, according to chief executive Michel Dechelotte, has already made a “substantial investment” in the engine programme. “But we cannot fully launch the development until Sukhoi signs firm launch contracts for the aircraft,” he warns.
Although Sukhoi announced Russian carrier Sibir as the RRJ launch customer a year ago at the Farnborough air show, the airline is yet to sign a definitive contract and place non-refundable deposits. But this should be resolved by MAKS in August, says Sukhoi Civil Aircraft general director Victor Soubbotin.
“We will probably sign firm orders for a total of 100 RRJs with two customers – Sibir and Aeroflot,” he says.
Although Power Jet is working on the prototype “first engine to test”, which is due to run in April next year, Dechelotte says that “full speed” development of the 14,000-18,000lb thrust (62-80kN) SaM146 engine will not begin until the firm contracts are in place.
RRJ assembly will be performed at Sukhoi’s manufacturing plant KnAAPO in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, where Soubbotin says some long-lead items are already in production for the four flying prototypes, the first of which is due to fly in July 2007.Sukhoi is targeting April 2008 for certification and first deliveries and has signed supplier agreements with Thales (see related story), Parker, B/E Aerospace and Liebherr. The Russian manufacturer aims to conclude the remainder of Western supplier deals by MAKS.
The design bureau has so far invested $70 million of the expected $650 million RRJ development costs for the airframe and systems. Soubbotin says the Russian government will cover 40% of RRJ development costs, including the Russian part of the SaM146 engine.
A quarter of the government funding will go to NPO Saturn to partially cover the cost of developing the SaM146 low-pressure system. Meanwhile, Snecma’s parent Safran says the French government has agreed to contribute €140 million ($175 million), in the form of refundable loans, to help fund Snecma’s SaM146 workshare.
Source: Flight International
