PD-8 Withstood the Impact: Russian Engine for "Superjet" Passed the Toughest Tests

The United Engine Corporation (ODK) of Rostec has completed tests of the PD-8 aircraft engine for the Superjet aircraft according to the requirements of the strictest Russian certification basis, the company announced. The basis includes safety requirements according to the latest global standards, including resistance to crystalline ice and lightning protection.

Approximately 25 gas generator kits were manufactured for the work. 78 engine assemblies were used in full-scale tests – more than double the figures adopted in global practice. After each test stage, the engine is disassembled for defect detection, then reassembled, and the power unit continues to undergo checks.

The certification basis contains requirements for airworthiness and environmental protection. It serves as the basis for confirming the product's compliance with established norms and obtaining a type certificate. It includes design documentation, complex technical calculations, as well as the results of bench and flight tests.

Ilya Konyukhov, General Director of ODK-Saturn, noted that the Russian aviation standard imposes very high requirements for certification tests. Domestic strength standards dictate a more conservative approach: mainly the results of full-scale tests to confirm resource and check resistance to external influences are taken into account. Digital twins cannot replace real tests on the stand, but only supplement the evidence base.

Digital twin technologies and computer modeling were actively used in the creation of the PD-8. Tests were conducted on open and closed stands of ODK-Saturn and ODK-Aviadvigatel. Certification centers CIAM named after Baranov, GosNII GA, and the Material center were also involved in the work. Documents on passing certification tests have already been submitted to Rosaviatsiya, which makes a decision on issuing a type certificate.

The PD-8 turbofan engine with an 8-ton thrust was created at the Rybinsk enterprise ODK-Saturn using advanced technologies and the latest domestic materials. The power unit is designed for Superjet-100 short-haul aircraft and Be-200 amphibious aircraft.