Russia’s Superjet Powered by Domestic PD-8 Engine Performs Maiden Flight

The prototype of Russia’s Superjet passenger aircraft completed its first flight with domestic PD-8 engines in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

The aircraft remained in the air for about 40 minutes, reaching a speed of 500 km/h and an altitude of up to 3,000 meters. After landing, the crew commander reported that the flight mission had been completed in full. The PD-8 engines demonstrated stable operation, with their gas-dynamic stability assessed under both constant and variable conditions.

As part of the Rostec State Corporation, the Superjet import substitution program is being carried out by a broad collaboration of enterprises under the Yakovlev company of the United Aircraft Corporation. The new Russian power plants were developed by specialists from the United Engine Corporation.

"After 2022, the Superjet was essentially reassembled from scratch. At the same time, the engine is one of the key elements of the import substitution program—it is the ‘heart’ of the aircraft. There is still a lot of work and many flights ahead. In April, another fully Russian aircraft with PD-8 engines will join the certification flight tests," said Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec State Corporation.

For the maiden flight on domestic engines, a Superjet prototype with serial number 95157, produced in 2018, was used.

The inclusion of a fully Russian-configured aircraft in flight tests will allow the interaction of the PD-8 engines with domestic systems to be studied during certification. By the end of March, UAC plans to transfer two more experimental PD-8 engines for flight tests. The type certificate for the PD-8 engine is expected to be issued in the fall of this year.

The PD-8 bypass turbofan engine, with a thrust of 8 tons, is designed for both the Superjet passenger aircraft and the Be-200 amphibious aircraft. It was developed using new Russian materials and manufacturing technologies, incorporating experience from the PD-14 engine program.

As part of the import substitution program for the short-haul narrow-body Superjet, around 40 imported systems and components are being replaced, including the engine, avionics, landing gear, auxiliary power unit, integrated control system, power supply systems, air conditioning, and fire protection systems. The aircraft also features a domestically produced fuselage, modified to simplify production and maintenance.