For the first time in Russia, a super-powerful aircraft engine has been manufactured

UAC engineers have created the first Russian demonstrator engine, the PD-35. This is a super-powerful power unit that is used to test aviation technologies.


It is this engine that will be used to create future engines. They are necessary for serial production of wide-body airliners. The PD-35 has already exceeded all expectations during testing.

An open stand was built specifically for testing. The first stage of testing has already begun there. The engineers managed to repeatedly bring the demonstrator engine to takeoff mode. The tests confirmed that the specialists are moving in the right direction.


PD-35 is a high-thrust engine. Similar power units are the most advanced of thermal engines. At the same time, they are the most technologically advanced and structurally complex. But such engines are durable and more economical in terms of fuel consumption.

The first stage of testing is currently underway. Using the demonstrator engine, it is necessary to develop a set of critical technologies for high-thrust power units. There are simply none of these in Russia yet, so a number of innovations have to be introduced.

The state is the initiator of the research and development work on the PD-35. It concluded the corresponding contract with the United Engine Corporation in 2016.

Over the past time, we managed to develop plans, drawings, and carry out all the calculations. In 2021, we began to manufacture the first units for building a demonstrator engine. And now it has happened - PD-35 has been created.

The next serious stage will start after all tests are completed. Its task is to create “commercial” high-thrust engines for airliners. Wide-body aircraft need such engines. aircraft both passenger and transport classes.


Foreign partners are also interested in the project. We are talking primarily about the Chinese and the joint long-range aircraft CR929.

True, not everything turned out smoothly there either. The Chinese copied Russian technologies as part of their cooperation, and then broke the agreements. They decided that there was no point in waiting another 5-10 years for serial production of PD-35 engines, and installed Rolls-Royce engines on their airliner. And their plane is now called COMAC C929, not CR929.

As for the prospects for the Russian PD-35, they are primarily needed for the Il-96-400M. Two new engines will replace four PS-90A1 there.