The VK-800SM engine, developed for the LMS-901 "Baikal," is not suitable for the remotorization of Soviet An-2 aircraft. This was stated by Oleg Panteleev, executive director of the Aviaport agency.
He recalled that another suitable engine for the An-2 (the TVD-20) was produced back in the Soviet era in Omsk. Its production can be restored, but it will take time, and the biplane's fuselage will have to be modified.
Another option is to use the engine from the Ka-62 helicopter (VK-1600V); with certain modifications, it will be suitable for the An-2. The entire process will take about two years.
It will be necessary to conduct the same tests that the VK-800 has already passed. By that time, the "Baikal" with a domestic engine should already have entered serial production. At the same time, it will not be possible to install the VK-800 on the An-2 either — the "Baikal" is smaller, lighter, and its powerplant is not suitable for the "Annushka."
At present, the classic An-2 flies with the ASH-62IR piston engine. It is impossible to relaunch it into serial production in Russia due to the lack of production capacity. In addition, it requires expensive B-91 aviation gasoline, which is almost not produced in the Russian Federation.
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