The Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA) continues the flight test program of the UTS-800 turboprop aircraft. The plant reports on the stability and controllability of the aircraft, as well as the low cost per flight hour, but the prototype is currently equipped with an American engine, according to Technosphere. Russia.
The engine in question is the General Electric H80. Moreover, back in 2024, when UZGA announced the transfer of two experimental UTS-800s to the Russian military, no one emphasized the presence of Western engines in the aircraft.
It will be replaced by the domestic VK-800SP engine with a takeoff power of 806 hp, which is still being brought to the required state.
The source noted that the pace of work is good, so the UTS-800 flight program with the VK-800SP may begin in late 2026 or early 2027.
Preliminary, the VK-800SP engine is being developed using a centrifugal compressor model and single-stage uncooled turbines, which simplifies the design and reduces production costs. Detailed characteristics of the installation are not yet known.
