Dreamliner Killer: What Three-Engine Aircraft Could Be Built in Russia

Russia is developing a promising PD-35 aircraft engine, which may be useful for a new wide-body passenger aircraft. Expert Sergey Marzhetsky shared his thoughts on the future aircraft, but suggested using three engines instead of the traditional two.

Three Instead of Two

According to him, very high hopes are pinned on the promising PD-35 in Russia. Without it, it is impossible to create either a competitive wide-body long-range aircraft or a military transport aircraft to replace the aging An-124 Ruslan.

Apparently, in this adjusted project, the PD-26 will widely use technologies developed on the PD-35, and a less powerful engine can really be obtained by 2030. The question is, where can it be put, where can it be put.

According to Marzhetsky, the PD-26 could replace the Ukrainian D-18T series 4 engines with a thrust of 25,400 kgf, which were installed on the An-124.

Don't Waste Time and Resources

Marzhetsky noted that the thrust of only two PD-26s would not be enough for a long-range aircraft, and four would be excessive and economically impractical.

One engine was installed under each semi-wing, and the third was at the base of the keel. Three is worse than two, but better than four.

Perhaps, Marzhetsky is sure, it makes sense to start developing a modern wide-body aircraft right now specifically for the PD-26 and specifically for the three-engine scheme, so that you don't have to do the same later, but spending precious time and resources on it.

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