Talks have begun in Russia about the potential re-engining of the Superjet with imported SaM146 engines to domestic PD-8 engines. However, this process will take years of development and will be very costly, and the sources of funding are currently unknown. This was stated to "Perviy Technicheskiy" by aviation expert Roman Gusarov.
He reminded that the import-substituted SJ-100 is already undergoing testing, and mass production will begin next year. The plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur is already ready to produce 20 aircraft per year, and everything is well- налажено there.
We will be able to saturate our market with new "Superjets" quickly enough. But there is a problem with those SJ-100s [with SaM-146 engines] that are in our airlines. All the components there are imported, 100%. There is nothing of our own inside the aircraft, except for heat exchangers, which were also made in a joint venture with the Americans in Russia.
Gusarov recalled that the "hot section" of the SaM146 was made in France, and the "cold section" in Russia. However, the problem is that the resource of the "hot" section will soon be exhausted, and domestic specialists do not have the necessary documentation and capacity for its repair.
We don't know how to repair combustion chambers. The question arises - what to do with these Superjets? They are quite young, the oldest is only 14 years old, they still have a lot of flying to do, but the engines - not anymore. Here the question of economic feasibility arises. We have our own PD-8 engine, which is approximately the same size and weight. But you can't just remove one engine from the wing and hang another. Each engine has its own mounting and connection system. To replace the engine, you will have to redesign the wing and other systems - electrical, mechanical, air exchange. All these works will require a lot of time, at least several years of intensive work. The question is - how much time and money will it take.
Gusarov expressed confidence that starting these works for the sake of 150 aircraft at the moment makes no sense. They will never pay off, and airlines are also unlikely to invest their own funds in such a knowingly unprofitable project.
The whole question is purely economic. For example, there is a good washing machine, but the engine burned out. And a new one costs two-thirds of the price. You will look and say - no, I'd rather buy a new machine. The logic may be the same here, there is no point in such investments. Therefore - there is no solution yet. If at least 500 such aircraft were produced, then it would probably make sense. But for 150 - no.
The head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov, stated that the department plans to finance research and development work (R&D) to replace foreign SaM146 engines with domestic PD-8 engines on the produced Superjet 100 aircraft. Specific dates for the start of the project have not yet been determined, but its start is scheduled for 2026.
Earlier, www1.ru reported that the toilet of a strategic bomber was shown in a photo for the first time.
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