Rybinsk Motors, one of Russia's leading engine manufacturers, announced record production growth of 36.4% last year. On the back of rising production, revenue rose to 1,538 billion roubles ($256.3 million). Profit amounted to 264 billion roubles.
General director Yuriy Lastochkin says that 60% of the profit came from the company's major product, the Soloviev D-30KU/KP turbofan which powers Ilyushin's Il-62M and Il-76TD and Tupolev's Tu-154M. About 300 new D-30s were built in 1997, and about 380 were overhauled. A diversified product line also includes diesel engines for the automotive industry and industrial and marine gas turbines.
By Russian standards, Rybinsk Motors is spending substantial sums of money on research and development. Last year, the figures reached 120 billion roubles, and this year's business plan calls for 270.2 billion roubles to be spent.
Technical director Alexander Novikov says that, besides designing refinements for its product line, Rybinsk is developing advanced turbofans for cruise missiles and new maritime gas turbines.
Source: Flight International