TEI PD170 Turbo-diesel UAV Engine

[dBSPL]

TEI President and CEO Mahmut AKŞİT revealed to the media that the 200kg PD170 engine (dry weight is 170kg) can be also used on Armed ANKA UAV and can take either the ANKA UAV or a similar UAV to the altitude of 45.000ft. He also underlined that the PD170’s block costs US$50.000 and weighs a bit more than 18.5kg (still less than the target weight of 19kg) and it is 11% more fuel efficient than the 155hp rated Thielert Centurion 2.0S diesel engine being used on ANKA UAV.

TEI has already started development of the uprated version of the PD170, dubbed ‘PD220’ which will generate 220hp power. Since the PD170’s architecture was designed to support 220hp by taking into account the future requirement of ANKA UAV configurations, the PD220 will be nearly identical and some parts would be compatible with PD170. However, it still needs to perform several modifications on PD170’s major subsystems and components to assure the power increase. TEI engineers aimed to not cause any increase in weight on the PD220 compared to the PD170 even there would be some increase in volume.

The AKINCI UAV, with a 20m wingspan, height of 4.1m and an overall fuselage length of 12.5m, will have a service ceiling of 40.000 feet, maximum take-off weight of 4,5 tons, and a payload capacity of 1.350kg (900kg external and 450kg internal). The serial production version of the AKINCI UAV will have an endurance of 24 hours and is to be powered by two turboprop (TP) engines each generating 550hp. Until indigenous turboprop engines are ready or an alternative ITAR Free turboprop engine is procured from abroad (such as Motor Sich of Ukraine, which manufactures AI-450 series TP engines generating 450shp power) the prototype aircraft will be powered by a pair of PD170 and PD220 turbo-diesel engines respectively. - https://www.defenceturkey.com/en/content/tei-delivered-a-pair-of-pd170-engines-to-baykar-makina-3262

 

[hyperman]

Sounds interesting, this is made by Tusas right? what is the 170 a reference to Horse Power? and how is the reliability and lifecycle of the engine?

 

[dBSPL]

Sounds interesting, this is made by Tusas right? what is the 170 a reference to Horse Power? and how is the reliability and lifecycle of the engine?

The project, which is signed between TEI and Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (UDI) on December 27, 2012, contains developing a turbodiesel aviation engine with domestic facilities which has superior technical specifications, in accordance with the needs of MALE class unmanned air vehicles.

With the project, which is planned to be completed in 2018, Turkey will have an overqualified national turbodiesel engine which can be used for MALE Class UAVs. The project is in the stage of protoype manufacaturing while the detail design studies continue along with certification processes.

Airworthiness Certification based on EASA CS-E and Design Organization Capability Approval based on EASA Part 21 will be obtained for the Operative UAV Engine under development, which will be a first in Turkey.

Advantages of the Operative UAV Engine in comparison with the current MALE Class UAV Engines are listed below:

• More Power, Higher Power/Weight Ratio
• Higher Power Capability at High Altitude
• Less Fuel Consumption
• More Compact Design
• Airworthiness Certification Compatible Civil Aviation Standarts and Military Standards
• Indigenous Engine Control System Software and Hardware (Open code, upgradeable)
• Fast Technic and Logistic Support
• Need-Based Power-boost potential

Technical specfications of the Operative UAV Engine:

Maximum Continuous Power: 170HP* (old data)
Weight: 170 kg
Specific Fuel Consumption: <210 gr/kWh
Electricity Power Generation Capacity: 9 kW (2 x 4.5kW)
Maximum Altitude: 30.000 ft* (old data)
Propeller Rotation Control: Variable pitch , Single lever control, hydromechanics
Gear Case: Impeller configuration
Engine Control: Redundant Electronic Engine Control System (FADEC)
Engine Control Software : Indigenous DO178-C DAL-C compatible
EGÜS Control Software: Indigenous DO178-C DAL-C compatible
Fuel : JP8, Jet A1, Diesel
Aircraft Interface : Mechanical, Electronic and Signal interface compatible with MALE Class UAV

*According to the latest statement made by TEI General Manager Akşit: Delivered engine sets are mostly improved versions with greatly increased performance, such as 45.000ft maximum altitude and 220Hp maximum continuous power output.

 

[TeesraIndiotHunter]

TEI President and CEO Mahmut AKŞİT revealed to the media that the 200kg PD170 engine (dry weight is 170kg) can be also used on Armed ANKA UAV and can take either the ANKA UAV or a similar UAV to the altitude of 45.000ft. He also underlined that the PD170’s block costs US$50.000 and weighs a bit more than 18.5kg (still less than the target weight of 19kg) and it is 11% more fuel efficient than the 155hp rated Thielert Centurion 2.0S diesel engine being used on ANKA UAV.

TEI has already started development of the uprated version of the PD170, dubbed ‘PD220’ which will generate 220hp power. Since the PD170’s architecture was designed to support 220hp by taking into account the future requirement of ANKA UAV configurations, the PD220 will be nearly identical and some parts would be compatible with PD170. However, it still needs to perform several modifications on PD170’s major subsystems and components to assure the power increase. TEI engineers aimed to not cause any increase in weight on the PD220 compared to the PD170 even there would be some increase in volume.

The AKINCI UAV, with a 20m wingspan, height of 4.1m and an overall fuselage length of 12.5m, will have a service ceiling of 40.000 feet, maximum take-off weight of 4,5 tons, and a payload capacity of 1.350kg (900kg external and 450kg internal). The serial production version of the AKINCI UAV will have an endurance of 24 hours and is to be powered by two turboprop (TP) engines each generating 550hp. Until indigenous turboprop engines are ready or an alternative ITAR Free turboprop engine is procured from abroad (such as Motor Sich of Ukraine, which manufactures AI-450 series TP engines generating 450shp power) the prototype aircraft will be powered by a pair of PD170 and PD220 turbo-diesel engines respectively. - https://www.defenceturkey.com/en/content/tei-delivered-a-pair-of-pd170-engines-to-baykar-makina-3262

Mashallah to our Turkish brothers!! God speed.

Here's hoping that Turkey develops all sort of cutting-edge, competitive engines----from fighter jet engines, to large naval engines for destroyers, to submarine engines, to tank and rocket engines.

Engine technology is one of the biggest hurdle is becoming truly independent military power. Turks should be laser focused in their resolve to achieve that independence!

 

[dBSPL]

However, the most important success is that this engine has been developed with the civil certification(EASA) process. This engine is currently available on single engine 4-7 seater civil aircrafts also, without any obstacle.

 

[-SINAN-]

Airworthiness Certification based on EASA CS-E and Design Organization Capability Approval based on EASA Part 21 will be obtained for the Operative UAV Engine under development, which will be a first in Turkey.

Already been obtained.

 

[Indos]

Good. I hope Indonesian also follow the similar path.

 

[Turan09]

PD-170 is a milestone for Turkish Defence Industry. And I hope we will also export it and it will find its rightful place in our ally state's UAVs, UAVs, too...