The Russian defense industry continues to work on the promising fifth-generation fighter Su-57 / T-50 / PAK FA. At the moment, the program is solving a number of tasks related to the creation of this or that equipment, as well as new weapons. One of the main goals at present is to test the new "Product 30" engine. The project of a promising engine has already passed a number of important stages, and now the power plant is ready for testing along with the aircraft. The other day, the first test flight of the experimental Su-57 aircraft with the Izdeliye 30 engines took place.
From 2010 to the present, the prototypes of the T-50 Advanced Aviation Complex of Frontline Aviation program, now known as the Su-57, have used AL-41F1 turbojet engines. In the context of the entire program, they also bore the symbol "first stage engines". These dual-circuit products, equipped with an afterburner and a thrust vector nozzle, allowed the aircraft to achieve the desired capabilities and significantly improved performance over existing technology. In parallel, the development of a completely new engine with the working title "Product 30" was carried out. It was also called the second stage engine.
The design and development of the second stage engine took several years. According to the known data, during the last few months the experimental "Products 30" were tested at the stand. By now, the engines of the new type have been prepared for full tests together with the carrier. The first flight of an experimental aircraft with prototype engines of the new model took place a few days ago.
The fifth-generation fighter Su-57, hull number 052 (the second flight prototype of its type), equipped with the Product 30 engine, made its maiden flight last Wednesday, December 6. For safety reasons, the aircraft was equipped with a mixed power plant in the form of AL-41F1 and Product 30 engines. The first such tests were carried out at the airfield of the Flight Research Center named after M. M. Gromov in Zhukovsky, Moscow region. The pilot of the Sukhoi company, the hero of Russia, Sergei Bogdan, drove an experimental vehicle with a new power plant.
For obvious reasons, the project developers and testers did not disclose most of the information about the first test flight and limited themselves to only a few of the most general information. According to official data, the first flight using the Product 30 lasted 17 minutes. During this time, an experienced T-50 under the control of a test pilot completed the flight mission. The flight went smoothly and in accordance with the assignment. Soon, the aviation industry published photos and videos of the first test flight of equipment in a new configuration.
The project of the “Product 30” engine is still quite far from the start of mass production and operation of equipment in the army, but it is already receiving the highest marks. So, commenting on the PAK FA project and a new engine for such an aircraft, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov noted that the new aircraft are proof of the high potential of the domestic aircraft industry. The industry has proven its ability to create highly intelligent advanced systems such as a unique glider, innovative digital hardware and the latest engines.
The beginning of flight tests of the new "Product 30" engine is an important milestone in the history of Russian engine building. The fact is that for the first time in many years a turbojet engine for a combat aircraft was developed from scratch and was not supposed to become another option for a deep modernization of one of the existing models. In fact, "Product 30" became the first full-fledged development of its kind in the modern history of domestic industry. At the same time, the uniqueness of the project lies not only in the approaches to design. Refusal to use ready-made basic projects allowed to apply new ideas and solutions, having a noticeable effect on the final characteristics and capabilities.
According to previously published data, the new "Product 30" was created in the framework of cooperation of several enterprises from the United Engine Corporation. This organization of work allowed a number of leading organizations in the industry to join forces and use their best practices. The project used the newest ideas and solutions of a constructive and technological nature. The correct combination of promising and well-known solutions has led to the required results.
Unfortunately, most of the information about the product 30 turbojet engine has not yet been disclosed. However, the main design features and characteristic advantages of the new development have already been announced. Allegedly, one of the ways to improve performance was the use of new materials and architectures for individual units. In particular, the engine received a completely new high-pressure compressor. Several innovations have been introduced into the turbine design. First of all, new heat-resistant nickel alloys were used in its details.
A more efficient compressor and turbine, combined with other innovations such as a new electronic control system, have given the Product 30 engine certain advantages over existing products. Earlier it was repeatedly stated that the main advantages of the new engine will be reduced fuel consumption with increased thrust. In addition, the engine is equipped with a nozzle with a thrust vector control system, which sharply increases the maneuverability of the aircraft.
As you know, one of the features of a fifth generation fighter is the ability to fly at supersonic speed without using an afterburner. According to known data, the engines of the first stage for the PAK FA - AL-41F1 - have already made it possible to obtain such capabilities. The new "Product 30", featuring higher technical characteristics, will allow solving such problems with greater efficiency, including with reduced fuel consumption.
The exact characteristics of the new engine have not yet been officially published. So far, only various estimates are known based on available information about existing domestically developed engines. The maximum thrust of "Product 30" without use is estimated at 10-11 thousand kgf. Afterburner should reach 16-18 thousand kgf. Such assessments are based primarily on the assumption that the second stage engine should have noticeable advantages over existing products.
It follows from these estimates that the thrust of the two engines of the new model, running on afterburner, must exceed the normal take-off weight of the aircraft by at least 10-15%. At the maximum takeoff weight, the thrust-to-weight ratio should also be more than one, although its reserve in this case can be seriously reduced. Nevertheless, in this situation, a slight reduction in thrust-to-weight ratio is compensated by an increase in fuel and ammunition.
The Su-57 / T-50 fighter with the first stage engines already had the ability to more energetic maneuvering due to the thrust vector control system, built on the basis of controlled nozzles. Reportedly, the engine "Product 30" is also equipped with a means of controlling the jet stream, due to which the aircraft retains its existing capabilities in the context of maneuverability while increasing other flight data.
The start of flights with the new engine is an important milestone in the history of the entire PAK FA program. It brings the moment of successful completion of the work closer, however, it is far enough to obtain the desired results. So far, only one "Product 30" is being tested on the carrier aircraft. In the near future, flights with a full-fledged power plant consisting of two engines will have to begin. Tests of the T-50 with two engines are scheduled for next year.
According to previously published plans, flight tests of the second stage engine were supposed to start in 2017 and continue for two years. By the end of the decade, the military and industry intended to complete the development of "Products 30", as a result of which the new engine could be put into series. As the latest news shows, the PAK FA program is proceeding according to schedule. As planned, the first flight with the new engine took place in 2017, which will allow the fighter in its final configuration to be launched next year.
Whether the participants of the PAK FA program will be able to meet the specified deadlines - it will be clear in the near future. By now, they have been able to implement a number of stages of the program and the entire course of the latter, in general, can be a reason for optimism. So far, there is no reason to doubt the possibility of successful completion of the work on time.
In the summer of this year, the command of the aerospace forces and the leadership of the aircraft industry announced plans for the near future, affecting the serial production and supply of Su-57 fighters. It is alleged that in 2018-19, the army will receive an initial batch of 12 such vehicles. 10 out of 12 aircraft intended for trial operation will receive engines of the first stage - AL-41F1. The other two vehicles will have to match the appearance of the production fighter. Apparently, the words about the serial appearance meant, among other things, the "Product 30" engines.
It should be noted that within the framework of the PAK FA program, a significant number of new projects are being developed, and new ideas are being implemented not only in the field of power plants. Currently, work continues on new electronic systems, various aviation weapons are being developed, etc. As in the case of the "Product 30" project, work in these areas will have to be completed in the coming years, as a result of which the troops will be able to receive full-fledged combat aircraft in full configuration provided for by the existing project.
Recently, with enviable regularity, there have been reports of various works and successes of the "Promising aviation complex of front-line aviation" program. In addition, the indicated deadlines for the completion of development work and the start of serial production for the supply of equipment to the armed forces are approaching. The beginning of tests of the prototype T-50 / Su-57 aircraft with a new engine affects key aspects of the entire program, and therefore is one of the main news of recent times.
The aviation industry continues to fine-tune the promising fifth generation fighter and regularly reports on its success in this matter. The latest news about the start of tests of the experimental Su-57 aircraft with the new Izdeliye 30 engine continues this wonderful tradition and, of course, turns out to be a new reason for pride and optimism.
