Sukhoi Superjet 100 engine to be tested on IL-76 flying test bed

Sometime this month, the third SaM146 engine for Sukhoi Superjet-100 plane will go through its first flight test at the Gromov Flight Test and Research Institute, based in the Russian town of Zhukovsky. The engine has been set into the power plant of a flying laboratory configured on an IL-76LL aircraft.

Russia''s new regional jet will be powered by the SaM146 engine, developed, produced and marketed by PowerJet, an equal joint venture created in July 2004 by Snecma and NPO Saturn. PowerJet will deliver a complete propulsion system, comprising both engine and nacelle. Snecma is in charge of the core (high-pressure section), control system (Fadec), accessory drive, propulsion system design integration and flight testing. NPO Saturn is responsible for the low-pressure section, engine assembly and ground testing.

Snecma and NPO Saturn also created a joint venture, VolgAero, to produce aircraft engine parts. Based in Rybinsk, VolgAero will make components for the SaM146, as well as parts and assemblies for other engines made by its two parent companies.

The test slated for this month is going to be the first of the two planned flight tests: the second one will take place in southwest of France, at the flight test facilities of Snecma.

Certification of the engine will be done according to Russian, European and American aviation standards, which will allow the aircraft to be operated without restriction in all these countries.