The PD-14 and PW1100G aircraft engines were developed for the same, most in-demand class of medium-haul airliners.
The first was created specifically for the MC-21, the second became the main engine for the Airbus A320neo. Let's analyze the characteristics of the power units according to five key criteria and identify the strongest.
Thrust
It is important to compare comparable versions here. The PW1127G for the A320neo develops approximately 12.2–12.5 tf, while the PD-14 delivers 14 tf. The more powerful PW1133G has a thrust of 14.7–15 tf, but this version is intended for the heavy A321neo.
The PD-14, however, has an emergency mode up to 15.4 tf, so in terms of thrust class, the engines are comparable — we call it a draw.
Fan
The PD-14 has a fan diameter of about 1.9 m. The PW1100G has approximately 2.06 m. The difference is 16 cm.
A larger fan allows more air to pass through the bypass duct and has become one of the main features of the American engine.
Bypass Ratio
The PD-14 has a bypass ratio of 8.5:1, while the PW1100G reaches approximately 12.5:1. This means that the proportion of air passing through the cold section is higher in the American engine.
For cruise mode, this is an important advantage. A larger mass of air is accelerated to a lower speed, increasing the efficiency of thrust generation — the point goes to the PW1100G.
Architecture
The PD-14 was built according to a two-shaft, gearless scheme. The PW1100G received a planetary gearbox between the fan and the low-pressure turbine.
The gearbox allows the fan and turbine to rotate at different optimal speeds. This scheme allowed Pratt & Whitney to increase the fan size and raise the bypass ratio — the score becomes significant.
Mass
Here, comparing only the declared “dry mass” is incorrect. For the PD-14, 2870 kg is the mass of the engine itself, but with the nacelle and thrust reverser, the unit is heavier — about 3350 kg.
Meanwhile, 2858 kg for the PW1100G is the basic dry mass with minimal equipment. Therefore, the figures cannot be directly compared. Taking into account the design and mass of the power plant, we give the advantage to the PD-14.
Final score — 3:1 in favor of PW1100G.
The Russian engine holds its own in thrust class and mass, but the American GTF surpasses it in key architectural parameters: 2.06 vs. 1.9 m for the fan and up to 12.5:1 vs. 8.5:1 for the bypass ratio.
The main trump card of the PW1100G is the gearbox, which allowed simultaneously increasing the fan size and improving the efficiency of the bypass duct.