Alexander Velovich/MOSCOW
A Tupolev-led consortium is proposing a cost-effective re-engining and refurbishment programme for the Tupolev Tu-134 twinjet, dubbed the "Tu-134M", to improve performance, efficiency and environmental compliance.
Interavia, formed by a group of Russian, Belarussian and Ukrainian companies, hopes to secure contracts to refurbish around half the 110 Tu-134s flying in Russia. Partners in the consortium include the Tupolev design bureau, the Minsk aircraft repair plant, the Progress engine design bureau and the Ukraine-based Motor-Sich engine manufacturer. Two Tu-134 operators, Belavia of Belarus and the Ukrainian Kharkov state air transport enterprise, are also involved as they seek to refurbish their fleets.
The core of the modernisation is a re-engining programme that will see the aircraft's ageing and inefficient Progress D-30 turbofans replaced by the Progress/Motor-Sich D-436T-134 turbofan, which powers the Yakovlev Yak-42 tri-jet. A more powerful auxiliary power unit will also be installed.
The airframes will also be refurbished to customer requirements, with the installation of modern avionics and oxygen equipment, and an additional fuel tank if required. A flightdeck upgrade is also planned, with the existing four-crew arrangement modified to require three crew.
Unit cost for the upgrade is estimated at $3-5 million, with work being carried out by the Minsk repair plant, which can handle around 12 refurbishments a year.
According to Interavia executive director Victor Fidelsky, the Tu-134M will provide operators with a range increase of 800-1,300km (430-700nm) and a 5.6t increase in commercial payload capability. Take-off field length will also be reduced by around 350m (1,150ft). The re-engining will bring the aircraft's noise and emissions in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements and reduce fuel consumption on a typical 5,000km round trip by 4t.
A $1 million investment is required to get the programme under way and will cover the cost of converting the prototype Tu-134M and conducting flight testing.
Conversion work is planned to begin soon to enable the prototype to fly late next year. Fidelsky says the Tu-134M "will fill the void until the new Tupolev Tu-334 becomes available".
Source: Flight International
