The act has been presented to the President, Chairman of the Board of “Vladimir Klimov – Motor Sich engines”, Anatoly Sitnov, during a solemn ceremony. He said: «There is no noticing preventing this engine being phased in and the list of shortcomings is very short. We have some acts with around 150 positions and this time this number is very low. It underlines the technical perfection of the engine. I would also like to admit that the engineering changes made in the basic model during creation of TV3-117VMA-SBM1V significantly increase its competitiveness».

 

According to Anatoly Sitnov, this engine has no rivals in Russia and foreign countries. «Its special feature is the possibility of adjusting the automatic control system for different takeoff output – from 2500 to 2800 HP depending on the type of helicopter. It also has an increased resource – up to 4000 hours. At present, all the operated gas-turbine engines have a limitation by temperature of + 38 degrees, while TV3-117VMA-SBM1V may be operated in conditions with ambient temperature of + 52 – it means that you do not have to wait until sunset or temperature changes. You just get into the helicopter and fly in any conditions» - Anatoly Sitnov explained. He has also noted that: «70 cycles of state bench testing have been performed; the duration of each cycle is 5 hours. The takeoff power test included 4 cycles with duration of 1 hour each instead of 2.5 minutes. Each hour the engine has been working in accordance with full scheme with confirmation of all the main parameters. It means that in case one of the engines fails, the helicopter may return to its base of fly for 250-300 km during one hour. It is very important for such systems as Shtokman field, for taking part in operations in the mountains where there is no place for landing ».

Another significant indicator, which should be noted, is that TV3-117VMA-SBM1V can be launched at the altitude of 6000 meters. The real interruption of engine running in the altitude chamber – 9000 meters. «Thus, a helicopter will be able to fly even above Chomolungma, which has a height of 8800 meters, - Anatoly Sitnov explained. – Of course, the engine has some reproofs for refinement, which will help increase the characteristics, ergonomic components, applicability, etc. Anyway, the engine has succeeded and it will change the characteristics of such aircraft as Mi-24, Mi-35, Mi-28, Ka-50, Ka-52, Mi-8, Ka-32, Ka-27, etc. We already can say that we are moving to another platform. And the most important thing is that putting these engines into operation will significantly increase the endurance of aircraft. We have already confirmed the power of 2800 HP, and if we halve it - 1400 for each string – it is more than enough for the helicopter to reach the desired target or return to base using one engine. I can say that all the designers dream about it! ».

The next phase is flight testing. A new helicopter has been assigned by the Ministry of Defense for the flight testing. It will be delivered from Kazan helicopter plant in accordance with state defense order. It should be noted that TV3-117VMA-SBM1V has already passed the flight testing procedure in Ukraine on Mi-24 and Mi8MTV helicopters. Mi-8 has climbed at 8100 m in 13 minutes and Mi-24 – on 5000 m in 9 minutes. It is twice higher than the nominal climb-out speed for these aircraft.

Following the results of cooperation, Anatoly Sitnov said: «The fact that this engine will be manufactured in Gatchina on «218 Aircraft Repair Plant», proves that the enterprises of Ministry of Defense are leading the way. They have kept personnel, potential and capabilities for implementation of new programs. Ministry of Defense defines the most optimal means of fast re-equipping of its combat systems, helicopters, jets and tanks for new energetics. And it is good that the Minister of Defense defines the industrial policy in terms of manufacturing learning of new helicopter engines. It gives us a capability to avoid the agreements, endless meetings concerning “need or no need”. He says: «We need to do it». And i support him in this case! ».

Nikolay Zazulin, general-colonel, laureate of state prize of Russian Federation in the area of science and technic, member of the Russian Academy of Transport, has expressed his hope that after the completion of all the tests and acceptance of the engine the cooperation between Ministry of Defense, Vladimir Klimov – Motor Sich engines and 218 ARP will continue. «I think that the development of such engine is a real breakthrough. It is important that TV3-117VMA-SBM1V will be manufactured in terms of cooperation. At first, while the military enterprise will be mastering technology and adjusting production, the ready components and units will be supplied from Zaporozhye to Gatchina for assembly of new engines. The full-scale production of the engine will be launched there in future. The Minister of Defense, Anatoly Serdukov, and the commander in Chief of the Russian air forces, Alexander Zelin, have supported the testing and production of new engine in Gatchina. I believe that it will significantly increase the defensive potential of our aviation, because the rearmament of our army has been carried out in very slow paces earlier. The production of such engine in our country is the example showing the way we need to use in future. We need to modernize our industry, the enterprises which have been manufacturing the world’s best weaponry earlier. The armed forces need to be on high. The state is strong only when the army is strong and it needs financing for this» - Nikolay Zazulin noted.

In the end of the meeting the members of state commissions and employees of the enterprises, who has taken part in the bench testing of TV3-117VMA-SBM1V engine, have been awarded with diplomas and memorable watches. Vladimir Bruskov has expressed a special gratitude on behalf of military unit 22737 to the administration of 218 ARP. He noted that the enterprise has a worthy testbed base, but it is insufficient for further development, that is why Ministry of Defense has taken a decision on creation of the whole enterprise near St. Petersburg for re-engining and modernization of helicopters, which will allow manufacturing of the vehicles with higher characteristics for performing more complicated and important objectives.