The engine of the second stage for the PAK FA brought to ground tests
New reports on the project were published by TASS news agency 2 September. During the Eastern Economic Forum, the agency’s journalists were able to obtain new information from the general director of the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (KnAAZ). Yu.A. Gagarin Alexander Pekarsha. The head of the company said that the second-turn engine for the PAK FA aircraft is already up and running. Currently, the tests are going according to plan. Other data on current work, however, was not disclosed.
Shortly before the information about the work on the engine appeared, the responsible persons announced the possible course of further events. On the eve of the opening of the Eastern Economic Forum, the Governor of the Khabarovsk Territory, Vyacheslav Shport, said that the mass production of aviation technology could begin at the end of 2017. Fighters of the new model will be included in the state defense order for 2018 year. The aircraft factory in Komsomolsk-on-Amur will be the site for the construction of the PAK FA aircraft.
Recent progress reports on the engine for a promising fighter may be cause for optimism. Conducting ongoing tests brings the time of installation of new products on experienced aircraft, followed by testing in the air. In addition, these works open the way for full-scale production of full-scale aircraft capable of showing all the calculated characteristics.
Recall, in connection with some features of the development of promising power plants, it was decided to use several types of engines in the framework of the PAK FA project. Initially, the experimental T-50 aircraft received a so-called. engines of the first stage - they were products of AL-41F1. After the appearance of the new engine so-called. the second stage, having the required characteristics, it was planned to introduce it into the project. At some stages of the PAK FA program, first-phase engines were considered not only as a means capable of testing, but were also offered in the context of the construction of the first production aircraft. The engines of the second stage, in turn, should have been installed on serial equipment in the future.
Currently, the T-50 aircraft are equipped with engines of the first stage of the type AL-41Ф1 or “Product 117”. Such engines are based on existing developments, however, the vast majority of components and assemblies were designed specifically for them. Characteristic features of the technical appearance of the engines are a larger diameter compressor, all-view thrust vector control and an automatic control system with full responsibility. In the afterburner mode, the engine “Product 117” can develop thrust up to 15000 kgf. It also differs from its predecessors by increased resource up to 4 thousand hours and reduced fuel consumption.
The AL-41F1 engines have been mass-produced for several years. In addition, the production of products AL-41F1C, designed for serial fighter Su-35C. They differ from engines for T-50 fighter jets by some design features and equipment. The main features remain, including thrust vector control, but the maximum thrust is reduced by 500 kgf. In addition, instead of the newest electronic control system, a time-tested electromechanical is applied.
In the future, the fifth-generation fighter will have to get new turbojet engines, now known under the designation "Product 30". In accordance with the terms of reference, such a power plant must develop a thrust of at least 16000 kgf, and also use the most modern practices in various fields. Creation of the “30 Product” was entrusted to the United Engine Corporation, namely its “combat aircraft engines” division. The head developer, coordinating the work of all enterprises-performers, was appointed OKB. A.M. Cradles, which is a branch of the Ufa Engine-Building Production Association. Some other organizations and enterprises are also involved in the work. Serial production of promising products is expected to expand in Ufa.
The development of the 30 product project was completed last year. During the aerospace exhibition in Le Bourget, representatives of the Russian industry told about the completion of the technical design of the new engine. As of mid-June 2015, the project was at the stage of preparing the technical documentation necessary for the manufacture of experimental products. By the end of the year it was planned to assemble two engine demonstrators. At that time, all work was carried out in accordance with the established schedule.
In March, 2016, the representatives of the head developer again talked about current work. It was mentioned that the prototype of the new engine is still in production. At the same time, tests of the internal contour of the product, made in the form of a separate unit, were conducted. A complete prototype of the “30 Products” was planned to be sent for testing in the summer.
According to the latest reports of representatives of the defense industry, the so-called. the engine of the second stage has already begun testing on the ground stand. For some next time, inspections of this product should be completed, the results of which will address the issue of installing new types of engines on experienced aircraft with subsequent tests of equipment in the air. Apparently, all these works will be carried out in this and next years.
The exact timing of the completion of work on the new engine and the deployment of its mass production in order to equip promising aircraft technology has not yet been specified. Last year, aviation industry representatives mentioned that development work on the “30 Product” would continue until the 2020 year. Shortly before that, in December 2014, the Director General of the United Engine Corporation, Vladislav Masalov, pointed out the possibility of carrying out the first flight of the T-50 with the engine of the second stage in 2017. In November last year, new information on this matter. According to the statement of UDC Deputy General Designer Viktor Belousov, the first flight of the aircraft with the new powerplant will occur only in the 2018 year.
The emergence of serial engines of the new model with the required parameters will give promising fifth-generation fighters the opportunity to demonstrate the basic characteristics at the required level. First of all, there should be an increase in speed, range and other flight characteristics. In addition, an increase in thrust can be used to increase the combat load with corresponding consequences for the effectiveness of the use of technology.
According to various estimates, the normal take-off weight of the T-50 aircraft will be within 30 t, the maximum - up to 37 t. With these weights, two engines of at least 16000 kgf will be able to provide thrust-bearing capacity of at least 0,85, depending on the payload and fuel stock . At the same time, in some cases this parameter will exceed one, which will give appreciable advantages over existing and prospective aircraft. For example, the expected acceleration to high supersonic speeds without the need for afterburner. As a result, the promising fighter will differ from other aviation technology with lower fuel consumption, which should have a positive impact on the range.
At present, six flight prototypes of the T-50 aircraft are involved in the PAK FA test program. All of them are currently equipped with engines of the first stage of the AL-41F1. In the foreseeable future it is planned to build several new prototypes, which will also participate in the tests. The features of a complete set of new equipment have not yet been officially specified, but there is reason to believe that some new cars in the future will be able to get engines of the second stage. Testing of such technology, according to the latest data, will begin only in 2018 year.
From the available information about the engines it follows that the first production aircraft of the new model, as planned earlier, will be completed with engines of the first stage. "Products 30", apparently, will be installed only on the technique of later releases. According to the latest plans of the Ministry of Defense, by the end of this decade, the aviation industry will have to release and transfer to the customer more than fifty T-50 aircraft. How many vehicles will receive new engines is not yet clear.
The development of a new engine is one of the most difficult components of the program "Advanced Aviation Complex of Frontal Aviation", which, in particular, is expressed in the regular revision of the deadlines for the implementation of certain works. Nevertheless, by now the engine of the second stage has been brought up to the stage of ground tests, which approximates the following checks. Completion of ongoing work, in turn, will bring the moment of installation of pilot engines on prototype aircraft. Therefore, in the foreseeable future, new messages should be expected both on the progress of the PAK FA program as a whole and on individual projects within it.
On the materials of the sites:
http://tass.ru/
https://lenta.ru/
http://ria.ru/
http://paralay.com/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/
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