Tatarstan visit by UT delegation reveals desire to develop and promote the Ansat light helicopter globally (673 words)

Published: 11/26/2001

On 14th November 2001, during a visit to Tatarstan by a delegation from United Technologies (UT), led by Chairman, George David, Mintimer Shaimiyev, the President of Tatarstan initiated cooperation talks with UT/P&WC on the production of the PW207K engine for the Ansat light helicopter, which is produced by KVZ. The Ansat, which is scheduled for certification in the second half of 2002, recently won the Russian MoD tender for a light training helicopter, in a contract reported to be for 100 units by 2015. David commented to the local press that, to date, the helicopter to date "exceeded expectations" and that he was “confident” of the programme's success. The local press has since suggested that P&WC may commit to localising 25% of the assembly and manufacture of the engine: a figure that could allow the engine to meet the requirements set by the MoD for a Russian product and therefore enable the P&WC engined helicopter to meet the ministry's requirement that the aircraft be powered by a “Russian “engine. Sources say that the discussions on the exact proportion of the work are still ongoing, but that the engine maker is keen to develop a relationship with KMPO, is committed to localising a significant portion of the engine work, and is simply looking to establish the basis of cooperation with the Kazan-based engine producer. Other reports have suggested that UT subsidiary, Sikorsky, may assist in the marketing of the Ansat to customers worldwide, since this would provide Sikorsky with a light helicopter that its portfolio currently lacks. Nail Khairullin, General Director of KAPO, also raised the possibility of powering the Tu-214 with PW engines in conversation with UT: a project that he says would take 18 months. Sources, however, consider that this is unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future, although the PW2040-3, due to be certified in 2002, could be used on the aircraft. UT/PW would be reluctant to commit investment to such a programme without first of all getting at least one launch customer for such a venture and is also conscious that the Rolls Royce and PS-90A2 options are already in progress. The 18-month timescale cited by Khairullin to install and certify the engine on the aircraft is also treated with some scepticism given that it pre-supposes that sufficient funding would be immediately available: an unusual scenario in the stuttering progress of the Russian aerospace industry. The news follows reports of an agreement at MAKS 2001 between Sirocco International and KAPO for the possible fitting of Rolls Royce engines on the airframe to start in 2002, with documents signed by Nail Khairullin, Ibrahim Kamal, Chairman of Sirocco, Sergey Kogotin, Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan, Felix Myasnikov General Director of Aviaexport, and Igor Shevchuk, Chairman of OAO Tupolev. Sources close to the project suggest that, while the merits of fitting the aircraft with an engine over 40,00lbs are fairly obvious, the money has yet to appear and the projects awaits funding. Subject to the necessary investment, the engine could be installed and flying in less than six months, given that the engine pylons exist for the RR powered Tu-204-120 and much of the documentation is also in place, with relatively minor testing required for the heavier aircraft. Concerns over the lack of power in the PS-90A powered Tu-214 have been widely discussed both within and outside KAPO. A number of parties would like to see PS-90A2 completed and installed as soon as possible to improve the aircraft's viability, not only for customers in Russia but also beyond its borders, according to sources within KAPO. During his recent visit to PMZ, David made it clear that UT remains committed to the project with an investment of $15m in its development with unspecified Russian partners. There are also reports that negotiations over support for the programme involving the Russian Aerospace Agency are well advanced and are expected to be completed soon.

Article ID: 2923