The RD-33 turbojet twin-shaft engine with afterburner was developed in 1985 to power the MiG-29 front-line light fighter.
Engineering excellence
The engine features a modular design, which means that individual parts, units and modules can be repaired or replaced in the field.
Reliability
The RD-33’s excellent gas flow stability against ambient disturbances, including the firing of onboard weapons, dramatically facilitates control of the aircraft. These engines also offer a high rate of thrust increase and, therefore, aircraft acceleration, which is especially critical for today’s jet fighters.
Universal platform
The RD-33 engine family includes the following versions:
RD-33 series 3, an engine with a longer service life;
RD-33B / NB, an engine without the afterburner for various types of aircraft;
SMR-95, an engine for upgrading foreign 2nd and 3rd generation jet fighters;
RD-93, a version for the FC-1 airplane;
RD-33MK (Sea Wasp), an improved version of RD-33 for new MiG-35 jet fighters and MiG29K ship borne fighters.
An RD-33 version with a thrust vectoring nozzle (TVN) is also available. New engines of the RD-33 family include BARK digital monitoring and control systems. Repair and maintenance of RD-33 engines take advantage of an information and diagnostics system (IDS).
Facts
The most mass-produced jet engine in its class
Adopted by the military in 25 countries as a component of MiG-29 fighters
Employed to power the unique super-maneuverable MiG-29OVT fighter
Installed of various models of the MiG-29 fighter family
Developed in 1985
Thrust class – 8000-9000 kgf
Principal specifications of RD-33:
Full afterburning performance (H=0, М=0):
thrust, kgf…………………………………………………………...8300
Maximum performance without afterburning (H=0, М=0):
thrust, kgf…………………………………………………………...5040
Length, mm…………………………………………………………4230
Maximum diameter, mm………………………………………........1040
Weight, kg…………………………………………………………..1055
Range and fuel system
The internal fuel capacity of the original MiG-29B is only 4,365 liters distributed between six fuel tanks, four in the fuselage and one in each wing. As a result, the aircraft has a very limited range, in line with the original Soviet requirements for a point-defense fighter. For longer flights, this can be supplemented by a 1,500 liter (330 Imp gal, 395 USgal) centerline drop tank and, on later production batches, two 1,150 liter (365 Imp gal, 300 USgal) under wing drop tanks. In addition, a small number have been fitted with port-side in-flight refueling probes, allowing much longer flight times by using a probe-and-drogue system. Some MiG-29B airframes have been upgraded to the «Fatback» configuration (MiG-29 9-13), which adds a dorsal-mounted internal fuel tank.
Operational history
The Soviet Union exported MiG-29s to several developing countries. Because 4th-generation fighter jets require the pilots to have extensive training, air-defense infrastructure, and constant maintenance and upgrade, MiG-29s have had mixed operational history with different air forces. For example, while the MiG-29s have an excellent operational history under the Indian Air Force which has invested heavily in the aircraft, it does not however have a good track record while serving the air forces of other countries like Iraq and Yugoslavia.
TV3-117VMA-SBM
The engine is designed for the An-140 airplane and other high-efficiency passenger and cargo aircraft of regional airlines. High-tech development and production have enabled to create the TVS
117VMA-SBM1 engine possess superior operating performance, dependability, and extensive service life.
Main advantages:
• high efficiency;
• long service life;
• reliability and trouble-free operation;
• engine and propeller joint electronic control system;
• two emergency power conditions making it possible to take off and maintain a flight level with one engine inoperative;
• low-emission combustor;
• low noise level;
• low operating costs.
Turbofan Engines
A turbofan engine has a large fan at the front, which sucks in air. Most of the air flows around the outside of the engine, making it quieter and giving more thrust at low speeds. Most of today’s airliners are powered by turbofans. In a turbojet all the air entering the intake passes through the gas generator, which is composed of the compressor, combustion chamber, and turbine. In a turbofan engine only a portion of the incoming air goes into the combustion chamber. The remainder passes through a fan, or low-pressure compressor, and is ejected directly as a «cold» jet or mixed with the gas-generator exhaust to produce a «hot» jet. The objective of this sort of bypass system is to increase thrust without increasing fuel consumption. It achieves this by increasing the total air-mass flow and reducing the velocity within the same total energy supply.
D-18T
The D-18T is used to power the An-124 RUSLAN and An-225 MRIYA cargo aircraft. The engine is equipped with an efficient thrust reverser mounted in fan duct. The engine’s module design together with efficient component condition diagnostics means provides possibility of on-condition operation without plant overhauls.
Main advantages:
• Low specific fuel consumption;
• Low noise and pollutant emission levels (comply with ICAO standards);
• High maintainability and reparability.
The D-436T1 / T2
The D-436T1/T2 engine is intended to power short-haul and medium-haul airliners Tu-334-100, Tu-334-200, Tu-230 and other highly efficient passenger and cargo aircraft. The engine complies with both effective and future ICAO requirements for aircraft engine noise and emission performances.
Main advantages:
• Low specific fuel consumption and low weight-to thrust ratio;
• High reliability due to long experience in operating the D-36 engine of similar class;
• Low levels of emission and noise;
• Easy maintenance and high affectivity of monitoring and diagnostics system;
• Universal mount for installing the engine on various airplanes in under wing or over wing, fuselage or side positions without changing the engine design;
• Low operating costs at long service life.
EXSERCISES
1. Write 10 questions to each text from the unit.
2. Write out of each text the sentences with the verbs in the Passive voice.
3. Translate any part of the texts (1500 signs) in writing.
4. Retell text about «Turbojet Engines».
5. 5. Speak on «Turbofan Engines».
