Work on the promising PD-35 aircraft engine began back in 2021, when a technology demonstrator was first demonstrated. At that time, various changes were made to the power plant, and it itself showed the required thrust. The Technosphere Russia publication reported who is the customer for the innovative product.
Then, four years ago, engineers reported that the engine was created and a bench sample was being developed. The first recipient of the PD-35, the source noted, will not be civilian at all.
And there is only one customer so far — the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, which needs heavy transport aircraft. It is still necessary to quickly transport huge quantities of troops and equipment. There is an An-124 "Ruslan", but there are no engines in production for it. The Ural Plant of Civil Aviation (UZGA) is engaged in the repair of previously produced D-18Ts. But new aircraft are also needed.
Meanwhile, the PD-35 has already entered the second stage of testing. Domestic turbine and compressor parts are being tested on the power plant. The United Engine Corporation (UEC) has performed more than 50 launches of the PD-35, and as a result, when reaching take-off mode, it was possible to achieve a thrust of more than 35 tons.
The head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Anton Alikhanov, noted that a full-fledged test bench for the PD-35 will begin to be built in 2026.