The Indian market may demand a more capacious version of the Russian SJ-100 airliner. The basic 100-passenger version does not fully meet the needs of local airlines, which are interested in a 120–130-seat airliner, explained analyst Sergey Marzhetsky.
According to him, increasing capacity will require more than just lengthening the fuselage. The maximum takeoff weight will increase, a new wing and a more powerful propulsion system will be needed. The PD-8 with a thrust of about 8 tons may be insufficient for such a machine, while the PD-14 is noticeably heavier and more powerful than required.
According to Marzhetsky's assessment, an intermediate engine can be created based on the gas generator of the already mastered PD-14, adapting it for a thrust of about 10–11 tons.
The idea of the PD-10 is to take the ready-made, already mass-produced Perm gas generator from the PD-14, reduce the fan diameter, reduce the number of stages in the low-pressure compressor, and reflash the digital control system to operate in a derated 10-ton thrust mode.
However, even deep unification does not negate a new cycle of tests and certification. According to the analyst, the creation of such an engine in a finished form could take at least 4–5 years.
Marzhetsky believes that such a propulsion system would also potentially be suitable for the promising Il-276 transport aircraft. Currently, modernized PD-14M engines are being considered for the transport aircraft.