Conceptual definition of a new Russian turbofan to power United Aircraft’s proposed MC-21 twinjet has reached a firm design stage, with development costs estimated at Rb35 billion ($1.1 billion). Initially dubbed the PS-14, after Aviadvigatel’s PS engine family, the project has been redesignated as the PD-14 – the Russian abbreviation for “prospective engine”.

Aviadvigaters Moscow representative says that this also reflects a broad collaborative effort that involves other constituent firms of the United Engine Corporation. The company’s chief Andrei Reus says the PD-14 concept design envisaged “an array of principally new engineering solutions, including the use of cutting-edge technologies and modem materials”.

While one version of the MC-21 will be fitted with the PD-14, the other will be powered by an engine based on Pratt & Whitney’s PW1000G geared turbofan to give customers a choice and provide competition.

“At this point, the funding is coming from the state budget But we’ll raise loans when the project moves to production,” says Reus. The PD-14’s development timetable is expected to be finalized in March to allow certification trials to begin in 2014.

Goodrich will supply the flight-control actuation system for the MC-2-1. as part of the twinjet’s complete integrated flight-control system, which is being produced by Russia’s Aviapribor.

Source: Yakovlev