Styling itself as “a new player in the small jet market,” recently created PowerJet has set out its stall at Le Bourget this week to demonstrate its determination to have the SaM146 turbofan ready for maiden flight of the Sukhoi RRJ Russian Regional Jet.
A joint venture by Snecma of France and the Russian NPO Saturn of Rybinsk, PowerJet offers its engine initially in 13,500 and 15,400 pounds thrust versions to meet the different RRJ variants. Snecma provides the propulsion system (HP core, gearbox, control system, accessory drive) while Saturn handles ground-testing, production and final assembly. Much of the French input is based on CFM56 or military M88 engine technology.
The company will also obtain engine nacelles so it will be able to offer a complete power package to other airframe manufacturers. It claims a 20% lower maintenance cost and a similar reduction in parts-count compared with equivalent competitors.
In a tight schedule, PowerJet plans to run the first SaM146 core in November and the first full engine next April. The LII experimental establishment at Zhukovsky, near Moscow, will then fly an airborne test engine, and the first flight-capable examples will be on hand for the RRJ’s maiden flight in March 2007. —Paul Jackson
