Saturn AL-31 (Russian Federation), AERO-ENGINES - TURBOFAN
Overview
Powerful fighter engine, the first vectored-thrust supersonic engine in service in the world, and the engine of Russia's and China's next-generation fighters The basic design of the AL-31 was Arkhip Lyul'ka's last and greatest achievement. Intended for large supersonic fighters, design started in 1968, and the first prototype engine began testing in August 1976. Under Dr Viktor Chepkin's direction, the AL-31 and derivative engines have been in production since 1980. Today a wide spectrum of advanced derivative engines, some having previously been known as the AL-35 and AL-37, have received AL-31 designations. To an exceptional degree, the latest AL-31F engines are integrated with their engine-control, fuel, lubrication, cooling and inlet-control systems. Licence deals have been discussed with several countries. One with HAL of India, has been concluded, and in 2006 talks for licence-manufacture with CEC in China are continuing. All Russian production, including export orders, is handled by what is now Saturn NPO, and development of a major upgraded AL-31F is being carried out in partnership with that company and with Granit, as related under those names. In collaboration with Rolls-Royce plc, AL-31 gas-generators are used in ship propulsion and gas pumping, the AL-31ST being rated at 16.8 MW and the AL-31STE at 20 MW. It is understood that the large (260 unit) order for warship propulsion placed in January 2006 (see Sukhoi company entry) is for a next-generation design. This entry includes the Izdeliye (Product) 117S, effectively a prototype of the AL-41F.
Overview
AL-31F First production engine, fitted with afterburner and matched to the Sukhoi Su-27. Data as in description below. Izdeliye (product designation) 99. Service designation R-32, reported to the FAI as the power plant of the P-42 (modified Su-27 prototype), which set 32 time-to-height records in 1986. The AL-31F entered production in late 1981 and received final qualification in 1985. By 1993 about 1,500 had been delivered from MMPP Salyut and UMPO Ufa. In 1990 the TBO was established at 900 hours, with a hot-section inspection at 300-hour intervals, but it has since been raised to the 1,000-hour level of the AL-31FP. According to Salyut (which see under that name) the immediate objective is to combine the increased thrust ratings with a TBO of 1,000 hours and 'expected life' of 2,000 hours. However, as noted in the Saturn introduction, Salyut is tasked only with mass production, and has no remit to interfere in the design process. By 2006 the number of active engines with the Russian Air Force had fallen to about 700, some of which are being overhauled for the Russian Air Force and export customers. The only new-build engines in Russian service power the Su-34 long-range bomber, the first two full-production examples of which entered service on 15 December 2006. The Ukraine plans to reduce its fleet of 55 Su-27s to 35, which are to undergo "substantial modernisation", which may include bringing the engines up to one of the later standards described below (probably the AL-31FN, but see the
The complete article appears in the following publication:
Publication Title Jane's Aero-Engines
Publication date Feb 19, 2007
Section AERO-ENGINES - TURBOFAN
Publication synopsis Jane's Aero-Engines provides comprehensive details of all civil and military gas-turbine engines (turbofans, turbojets, turboprops and turboshafts) currently in use worldwide for the propulsion of manned aircraft, listed in alphabetical order of countries. In addition to precise diagrams and illustrations to aid understanding and recognition, you will find detailed specifications of each engine, impartially presented to aid comparison and appraisal. Insightful descriptions of the background to each engine type, plus manufacturers' details, help support your procurement and market research needs.
Key contents include Aircraft propulsion
Gas turbine technology
Engine development
Engine cycles
Military and civil engines
Different sections provide in-depth detail covering AERO-ENGINES - LIFTFAN
AERO-ENGINES - MANUFACTURER
AERO-ENGINES - PROPFAN
AERO-ENGINES - TURBOFAN
AERO-ENGINES - TURBOFAN/ - TURBOJET
AERO-ENGINES - TURBOFAN/ - TURBOPROP/ - TURBOSHAFT
AERO-ENGINES - TURBOJET
AERO-ENGINES - TURBOPROP
AERO-ENGINES - TURBOPROP/ - TURBOSHAFT
AERO-ENGINES - TURBOSHAFT
AIRCRAFT PROPULSION
ANALYSIS
CIVIL ENGINES
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
GAS-TURBINE ENGINE CYCLES
GLOSSARY
INTRODUCTION TO AIRCRAFT GAS-TURBINE ENGINE TECHNOLOGY
MILITARY ENGINES
PERFORMANCE AND MANUFACTURER CHARTS
TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES IN ENGINE DEVELOPMENT
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