ZHUKOVSKY, Moscow Region. Aug 20 (Interfax-AVN) - The PS-90A- 76 new aircraft engine for the operational IL-76 Candid and for the IL-76MF derivative will enter the inventory of the Russian Air Force this year, Alexander Inozemtsev, CEO of the Aviadvigatel company (Perm, Russia), told Interfax-Military News Agency at the MAKS 2003 international air show Wednesday.
"Before the end of this year the new-generation PS-90A-76 aircraft engine which we produce for the IL-76 and new IL-76MF will enter the inventory of the Russian Air Force," he said.
He said that the Defense Ministry commission checking the PS- 90A-76 was the first in Perm in the last 25 years.
"The engine is already on the bench, and all the papers will have been signed by the end of the year," Inozemtsev said.
He said that the engine suited both old and new Candid versions.
"The enterprise has a contract, the state defense order is paid, so there are no obstacles for the engine to enter the inventory without delay," he added.
According to him, two IL-76s have already arrived at the Voronezh Aircraft Production Association to have engines replaced.
"Vyacheslav Sadikov, CEO of the plant, said that the first vehicle powered by new engines would be ready by the end of the year," Inozemtsev said.
In accordance with the state armament program, the Air Force is to receive 20 new IL-76MFs in the coming years, while the D- 30KP engines of old aircraft will be replaced by PS-90A-76s.
The former engine with a thrust of 12 tonnes used to show the best performance and powered all IL-76s, but now, in about 30 years, it does not meet operational and environmental standards, and has to be replaced.
IL-76s have been built primarily for military airlift. Experts say that some of these aircraft have been operated less than civilian planes, and their service lives are not depleted; they just need a new power plant meeting operational and environmental standards. The power plant, as designed, comprises four PS-90A-76 engines with a thrust of 14 tonnes each.