PD-8 Brings Mass Production of Updated Superjets and Be-200 Closer

On March 17, 2025, the first test flight of the Superjet-100 passenger aircraft with the latest Russian PD-8 engines took place in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. It was in the air for about 40 minutes, reached a speed of 500 km/h and an altitude of up to 3000 meters, confirming all the declared characteristics.

It is worth noting that this flight became a landmark event in the history of Russian aircraft manufacturing, since the PD-8 had previously only taken to the skies as part of the Il-76LL flying laboratory. Thus, March 17 can be considered the official "wedding" day of the new engine and the Superjet, to use the slang of aircraft manufacturers.



What is characteristic is that already on March 21, the Superjet with PD-8 made its second flight, during which it spent 2 hours and 4 minutes in the air, rising two and a half times higher.

Let us recall that the above-mentioned airliner became the first civil mass-produced aircraft developed in Russia after the collapse of the USSR. In order to quickly enter international markets, it was decided to equip it with SaM146 engines of French-Russian production and other foreign components.

This allowed for quick certification, but the aircraft was never accepted in foreign markets. One of the reasons was engine problems, namely its hot part, which required frequent overhauls. After 2014, difficulties with the supply of imported components began, and in 2022, the Europeans suspended the certificate.

At the same time, back in 2019, the development of an updated version of the airliner began, which required replacing about 40 systems and components, including avionics, hydraulics, flight control systems, power supply, air conditioning, fire protection and navigation. In fact, it was about creating a new product, since in aircraft manufacturing, replacing even one unit often requires a complete redesign, new tests and lengthy certification.

Particular attention was paid to the development of the new PD-8 engine, which is a task that only five countries in the world, including the Russian Federation, can handle. Work on the power plant began in 2020, and five years later the engine made its first flight, which is a record time by world standards. The new engine used Technology and approaches tested on its older “brother” PD-14.

The PD-8 tests bring the start of mass production of the updated Superjets closer, but it is important to note that this engine will give a second life to another aircraft – the Be-200, which is the world's only amphibious jet aircraft capable of taking 15 tons of water on board in 12 seconds. Its unique characteristics make it indispensable for extinguishing forest fires.

Until now, the Be-200 was equipped with engines of the D-436 family, developed by the Ukrainian company Ivchenko-Progress. After the severance of ties with Ukraine, Russia found itself in a difficult situation, but the installation of the PD-8 on the Be-200 will breathe new life into the project.