Serial production of the engines is scheduled to begin in 2024
MOSCOW, May 20. /TASS/. Flight tests of the VK-650V engine, designed to replace the French powerplants on the Ka-226T and Ansat light helicopters, are scheduled to begin in 2023. This was announced by TASS on Thursday in the framework of the international exhibition HeliRussia 2021, the general designer of UEC-Klimov (part of the United Engine Corporation Rostec) Vsevolod Eliseev.
"According to the project roadmap, the first flight of the helicopter with VK-650V engines is planned for 2023," he said.
As specified in the press service, currently there are finishing tests of the demonstrator engine, debugging of the VK-650V systems, expanding the capabilities of the stand. "The demonstrator engine will be tested until August, and work on the prototypes will begin in August. At the end of the engineering (finishing) tests, confirmation of the engine characteristics and design appearance will be received for conducting test tests under the certification work program, " the company explained.
They noted that after the completion of the tests, the engine will be finalized. "It is important to evaluate the resources during the tests and, if necessary, introduce measures that ensure all the characteristics laid down in the technical specification. Traditional components for the ROC will be work to reduce labor intensity, ensure the weight of the engine, " the press service noted.
Serial production
Serial production of the VK-650V engines is planned to begin in 2024, Yeliseyev said.
"The deadline for obtaining a type certificate for the VK-650V engine is 2023, and in 2024 it is planned to start mass production of the product," he said.
In 2019, the company "UEC-Klimov" announced the beginning of the development of a new gas turbine turboshaft engine VK-650V. This power plant is designed for Ka-226T and Ansat helicopters. The new engine should surpass all available analogues in its characteristics.