PurePower engine gears up for MC-21

Pratt & Whitney is clear that its PurePower PW1400G engine will be ready to meet the planned 2016 in-service date of Irkut’s MC-21 airliner. The PW1400G will be the fourth version of the PurePower family of geared turbofan engines – and one of the largest and most powerful to be built. The PW1400G will have a new core and an 81-in fan diameter, and should benefit from the development work done for the PW1100G engine destined for the Airbus A320NEO family. Baseline thrust for the MC-21- 200 is 28,000 lb and 31,000 lb for the MC-21-300. Only the A321NEO will have a higher thrust rating. The joint development phase for the PW1400G was completed in March andthe engine has now entered its preliminary design phase. Pratt & Whitney says the first engine will go to test in 2013 with certification by the end of 2014.

Bob Robinson, vice president, international business development, Pratt & Whitney says he is actively looking for possible partnerships in Russia on the MC-21 programme. "We are still working out some details with Irkut," he told ShowObserver, "but we have had discussions about potential engine assembly and test work in Russia."

However Robinson says it is unlikely that Pratt & Whitney will be co-operating with Perm Motors, a partner but also a competitor in Russia. Perm’s PD-14 engine is a rival option to power the MC-21.

Robert Hewson