Franco-Russian joint venture PowerJet has received European type certification for a new and enhanced version of its SaM146 engine.
PowerJet chief executive Jacques Desclaux said the engine, dubbed the SaM148 1S18, is designed to assist with extending the range of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 twinjet.
It has thrust of 16,100lb (72kN), which should enable the Superjet to fly up to 4,580km (2,470nm) with the maximum take-off weight and cabin load.
The engine will complement the baseline SaM146 1S17 model, which was awarded European Aviation Safety Agency certification in 2010.
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Ten SaM146 engines power four Superjet 100s in commercial service with Aeroflot, while one is with Armavia.
According to the engine chief co-designer Georgy Konyukhov, they accumulated a total of 6,000 flight hours in 2011.
Powerjet's Russian partner, NPO Saturn, said it plans to double output of SaM146 powerplants this year, bringing it in line with the Superjet 100 monthly production rate.
Source: Flight International
