MOSCOW. April 7 (Interfax-AVN) - Another stage of tests of the TV-500A engine for light helicopters is over, a competent source in the aircraft engine production industry told Interfax- Military News Agency Monday.
"The Central Aircraft Engine Building Institute (Moscow) and Klimov Plant (St. Petersburg) are about to complete tests of a highly efficient centrifugal compressor stage - the core of the TV-500A engine," the source said.
The institute has almost finished the trials, while the plant is to finish them this May, he added.
According to the source, "the tests are to prove the theoretical performances of the TV-500A. In the event that the result is positive, the engine will have much simpler design."
"The engine was designed to meet the requirements of the Kazan Helicopter Plant for its Ansat light helicopter," he also said.
Salyut, a Moscow-based machine-building enterprise, has developed a pilot project of the TV-500A, which is expected to take part in this year's tender for the best helicopter engine project," the source said.
The TV-500A engine is to have a capacity of 650hp. It is distinguished by a high rise is pressure in one centrifugal stage. The asset is created by Salyut's design bureau of promising developments. The design bureau got a license to project new aircraft engines and their components in spring 2002.
The Kazan Helicopter Plant started developing the Ansat in 1994. The helicopter is powered by two engines of the Pratt & Whitney Canada company, the rest of the components are produced in Kazan. The aircraft's maximum take-off weight is 3.3t, maximum speed is 280kmph, cruising speed 250kmph and maximum flight duration 3.3 hours.
The helicopter will be offered to foreign customers for USD1.7m-1.8m, while Russian clients will be able to procure it for USD1.5m.