In the context of a long-term construction project in the Russian aviation industry, one might consider abandoning the PD-14 and equipping MC-21 medium-range aircraft with modern modifications of the PS-90A3 engine. This proposal was put forward by aviation expert Sergei Marzhetsky.
He reminded that the PS-90A3 has a thrust of 18,000 kgf, and it is sufficient where the power of the prospective PD-26 would be excessive.
And to start mass production, it will not be necessary to design a new medium-range aircraft from scratch without having an engine on hand. Yes, in a sense, this would be a step backward, but it would allow us to move from the stage of a chronic "aviation long-term construction project" to the real production of something that can actually fly.
Marzhetsky added that no one forbids continuing the development of the uprated PD-14M, which can be installed on the next generations of MC-21 and Il-276, and will also be useful for heavy transport aircraft.
So why not take the path of starting production of the PS-90A3, making it the main engine for Russian medium-range and long-range aircraft, as well as transport aircraft?
Engines of the PS-90 series are produced at the "ODK — Perm Motors" enterprise. In the summer of 2025, the plant underwent a large-scale modernization to increase production volumes, as a result of which the manufacturing time of parts will be reduced by 15%. Currently, PS-90 engines are installed on Tu-214, Il-96 and Il-76 aircraft.
Aviation expert Andrei Velichko also explained to "Pervyi Technicheskiy" that the production rate of MC-21 depends on the production volumes of PD-14. To reach the planned construction figures of 15-20 aircraft per year, it is necessary to produce about 40 engines in parallel.
