Mi-26 heavy transport helicopter to receive Russian engine to replace Ukrainian one by 2025 - source
MOSCOW. Aug 4 (Interfax-AVN) - A Ukrainian engine for the Mil Mi-26 helicopter, which is the strongest one in the world, will be replaced by a Russian analogue by 2025, an informed source told Interfax.
"A schematic design of the prospective PD-12V engine to replace the Ukrainian D-136 engine on the Mi-26 helicopter was completed in 2017. Work on import substitution of the power unit is expected to conclude by 2025," the source said.
Technical design of the new engine, including drafting the required design documentation to equip the Mil-26 helicopter with a domestically-manufactured power engine, is to be completed in 2018, the source said.
"Ground and flight tests of a helicopter equipped with the PD-12V engine are expected to take place in 2023-2025, and its batch production is to begin afterwards," the informed source said.
The new engine will surpass foreign analogues in terms of power, enable improvement of the Mi-26 helicopter's flight characteristics, including altitude performance, and expand the lifespan of helicopters.