Russian engine designer Kuznetsov announces successful tests of next-gen bomber engine

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Russian engine designer Kuznetsov announces successful tests of next-gen bomber engine
 
According to Flightglobal, Russian military aircraft engine designer Kuznetsov has announced completing bench tests of a new propulsion system in development for a next-generation bomber. The Samara-based company says in a 7 November news release that the early bench test supports the Russian government’s plan to complete first flight of the promising aviation complex - long-range aviation (PAK DA) aircraft by 2019.
     
According to Flightglobal, Russian military aircraft engine designer Kuznetsov has announced completing bench tests of a new propulsion system in development for a next-generation bomber. The Samara-based company says in a 7 November news release that the early bench test supports the Russian government’s plan to complete first flight of the promising aviation complex - long-range aviation (PAK DA) aircraft by 2019. Kuznetsov's engine is expected to power the Russian next-generation strategic bomber PAK DA
     
The Russian air force launched PAK DA in 2009, selecting Tuploev – maker of the Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers, and the Tu-22 supersonic bomber – to design the new aircraft.

In June, state-owned media in Russia quoted Kuznetsov officials who announced the company had won a competition to develop the new engine for the PAK DA bomber. Kuznetsov also supplied the engines for the Tu-95, Tu-160 and T-22 programmes.

Details of the new engines architecture and performance have not been released. Pictures released by Kuznetsov reveal engine proportions not unlike the scale of the Pratt & Whitney F135.

The bench tests serve to validate research and development investments in a production engine, says Kuznetsov executive director Nicholas Jakushin.