Rostec Corporation announced the success of the ground tests it conducted on the new PD-8 engine for the Russian Superjet-100 civilian aircraft.
The organization noted that the engine was mounted on a ground platform and operated in a mode simulating takeoff. To test its durability, bird carcasses were released towards it as if it had been struck by a flock of birds in mid-air. The carcasses struck the engine blades and its aerodynamic casing, yet it continued to function properly.
Regarding the subject, Sergei Mosin, deputy chief designer working on the engine's development, said: "The PD-8 engine has withstood the tough test. The main criterion for assessing success is the absence of mechanical damage and the engine's continued operation under flight conditions. During the simulation of emergency conditions, the engine was not damaged and successfully retained controllability, proving that a collision with a flock of birds under real operating conditions would not be dangerous, and the engine would continue to operate stably."
The engine in question is being developed by the Russian company "UEC-Saturn", using advanced technologies, materials and equipment manufactured entirely in Russia. This engine will be used in the future with the "Superjet-100" civilian aircraft intended for short and medium-range flights, and the Be-200 amphibious landing aircraft produced by the Russian United Aircraft Corporation.
