Chinese Engine Development

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Some information from SOYO on the development and progress of Chinese engines. Note that many of them likely aren't exactly new, and this serves more as a compilation of information.

Do also note that some of the information provided here (particularly on the CJ-2000-on-C929 and AEF3500/WS-35 progresses) should be kept in KIV status for the time being, given the lack of more concrete correlated information that we have access to as of now.



- The 450 kN-class test stand likely completed its construction project at around 2021 - 2022, and has been in operation for over two years now.

- Furthermore, during 2021 - 2022, construction projetcs began on several other test stands of different thrust classes, including 300 kN-class and 250 kN-class models. These were delivered and put into service in early last year (at the earliest).



- The CJ-2000 engine may/might be ready in time for the C929's rollout and first flight (though not necessarily allowing the C929 to have its maiden flight with the CJ-2000 engines, per one of SOYO's subsequent comments. Other sources suggest a more conservative 2033-2035 timeframe).

- The WS-35 is likely the AEF3500 that was unveiled a few years ago (presumably). It could be equipped on the new large transport aircraft (most likely of the C-5/An-124-category, perhaps derated) and other large aircrafts.

-The AEF1200/1300 engines can meet the refit and upgrade requirements for the Y-20 family.

- The AEP400/500 and WJ-10 engines can fulfill the installation/engine replacement needs for new aircrafts such as the new turboprop regional airliner, the new medium transport aircraft (Y-30?) and the KJ-600.

- The J-15 family can be upgraded with the WS-10H2, the J-20 family with the WS-15, and the J-35 family with the WS-19.

- The C909 might not switch to Chinese engines, but the indigenous large-bypass, medium/low-thrust engines developed by Guizhou Engine Development Institute could power newly designed and developed Chinese regional jets.

- The 15-FYP and 16-FYP periods (2026 - 2035) will be a critical phase for the batch application and widespread adoption of Chinese national aircraft engines. Nearly all major projects will be equipped with Chinese engines, and the market share for imported engines is destined to shrink.

- The H-20 could be using large-bypass engines, but I believe it won't be from the WS-18 series; instead, it will be a newly-designed engine.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Some information from SOYO on the development and progress of Chinese engines. Note that many of them likely aren't exactly new, and this serves more as a compilation of information.

Do also note that some of the information provided here (particularly on the CJ-2000-on-C929 and AEF3500/WS-35 progresses) should be kept in KIV status for the time being, given the lack of more concrete correlated information that we have access to as of now.

View attachment 160648

- The 450 kN-class test stand likely completed its project construction at around 2021 - 2022, and has been in operation for over two years now.

- Furthermore, during 2021 - 2022, project constructions began on several other test stands of different thrust classes, including 300 kN-class and 250 kN-class models. These were delivered and put into service at least by early last year.

View attachment 160649

- The CJ-2000 engine may/might be ready in time for the C929's rollout and first flight (though not necessarily allowing the C929 to have its maiden flight with the CJ-2000, per one of SOYO's subsequent comments).

- The WS-35 is likely the AEF3500 unveiled a few years ago (presumably). It could be equipped on the new large transport aircraft (most likely of the C-5/An-124-category) and other large aircrafts.

-The AEF1200/1300 engines can meet the refit and upgrade requirements for the Y-20 family.

- The AEP400/500 and WJ-10 engines can fulfill the installation/engine replacement needs for new aircraft such as the new turboprop regional airliner, the new medium transport aircraft, and the KJ-600.

- The J-15 series can be upgraded with the WS-10H2, the J-20 series with the WS-15, and the J-35 series with the WS-19.

- The C909 might not switch to Chinese engines, but the indigenous large-bypass, medium/low-thrust engines developed by Guizhou Engine Development Institute could power newly designed and developed Chinese regional jets.

- The 15-FYP and 16-FYP periods (2026 - 2035) will be a critical phase for the batch application and widespread adoption of Chinese national aircraft engines. Nearly all major projects will be equipped with Chinese engines, and the market share for imported engines is destined to shrink.

- The H-20 could be using large-bypass engines, but I believe it won't be from the WS-18 series; instead, it will be a newly-designed engine.

Usual pessimists here will claim that WS-15 won’t be ready till 2035 and weep profusely.

 

[sequ]

@ACuriousPLAFan Could make the images in your post a bit smaller? It makes it easier to read them en scroll through the page.

 

[sunnymaxi]

Some information from SOYO on the development and progress of Chinese engines. Note that many of them likely aren't exactly new, and this serves more as a compilation of information.

Do also note that some of the information provided here (particularly on the CJ-2000-on-C929 and AEF3500/WS-35 progresses) should be kept in KIV status for the time being, given the lack of more concrete correlated information that we have access to as of now.

View attachment 160648

- The 450 kN-class test stand likely completed its construction project at around 2021 - 2022, and has been in operation for over two years now.

- Furthermore, during 2021 - 2022, construction projetcs began on several other test stands of different thrust classes, including 300 kN-class and 250 kN-class models. These were delivered and put into service in early last year (at the earliest).

View attachment 160649

- The CJ-2000 engine may/might be ready in time for the C929's rollout and first flight (though not necessarily allowing the C929 to have its maiden flight with the CJ-2000 engines, per one of SOYO's subsequent comments. Other sources suggest a more conservative 2033-2035 timeframe).

- The WS-35 is likely the AEF3500 that was unveiled a few years ago (presumably). It could be equipped on the new large transport aircraft (most likely of the C-5/An-124-category, perhaps derated) and other large aircrafts.

-The AEF1200/1300 engines can meet the refit and upgrade requirements for the Y-20 family.

- The AEP400/500 and WJ-10 engines can fulfill the installation/engine replacement needs for new aircrafts such as the new turboprop regional airliner, the new medium transport aircraft (Y-30?) and the KJ-600.

- The J-15 family can be upgraded with the WS-10H2, the J-20 family with the WS-15, and the J-35 family with the WS-19.

- The C909 might not switch to Chinese engines, but the indigenous large-bypass, medium/low-thrust engines developed by Guizhou Engine Development Institute could power newly designed and developed Chinese regional jets.

- The 15-FYP and 16-FYP periods (2026 - 2035) will be a critical phase for the batch application and widespread adoption of Chinese national aircraft engines. Nearly all major projects will be equipped with Chinese engines, and the market share for imported engines is destined to shrink.

- The H-20 could be using large-bypass engines, but I believe it won't be from the WS-18 series; instead, it will be a newly-designed engine.

the beautiful thing is, all Engines mentioned by Soyo already is in advance stages of development.

but don't forget.

1. AECC has variable cycle Engine program too

2. there is also high thrust turboshaft Engine. most likely debut soon.

3. 250kn Engine almost complete now.. i mentioned this model back in 2022.. the most interesting part is, we have many High bypass Engine programs simultaneously under development by different AECC subsidiaries.

this is open Air test bench facility. can support up to 450KN class Engine.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

@ACuriousPLAFan Could make the images in your post a bit smaller? It makes it easier to read them en scroll through the page.

Only if I know how to resize the photos /images while using mobile (which unfortunately I don't).

 

[gelgoog]

- The 450 kN-class test stand likely completed its construction project at around 2021 - 2022, and has been in operation for over two years now.

So basically they have a test stand big enough to test an Airbus A350-1000 or Boeing 777-300 engine.

- Furthermore, during 2021 - 2022, construction projetcs began on several other test stands of different thrust classes, including 300 kN-class and 250 kN-class models. These were delivered and put into service in early last year (at the earliest).

This is important since it means they now have the facilities to mitigate engine development risk.

Although there is still a question if they have the facilities to simulate high altitude testing on the ground as well or not.

- The CJ-2000 engine may/might be ready in time for the C929's rollout and first flight (though not necessarily allowing the C929 to have its maiden flight with the CJ-2000 engines, per one of SOYO's subsequent comments. Other sources suggest a more conservative 2033-2035 timeframe).

I doubt CJ-2000 will be ready by 2030 when the C929 aircraft is supposed to be ready. Maybe it will be doing ground or captive testing by that point. For it to be ready to put under the wing in 2030 you should have seen tests of it already.

- The WS-35 is likely the AEF3500 that was unveiled a few years ago (presumably). It could be equipped on the new large transport aircraft (most likely of the C-5/An-124-category, perhaps derated) and other large aircrafts.

So they are going to continue doing a military and civilian engine on the large turbofans? My guess is they want to have two competing engines to reduce risk here as well.

This will need to use a new engine core. It is impossible to get that kind of output from either WS-10 or WS-15. It does raise some interesting questions though. Since that kind of engine core would also be suitable for a large bomber.

-The AEF1200/1300 engines can meet the refit and upgrade requirements for the Y-20 family.

What is this supposed to be? The WS-15 derived high bypass engine or the WS-20? I thought that engine was 14tf or more.

- The C909 might not switch to Chinese engines

So what about the CJ-500 then?

but the indigenous large-bypass medium/low-thrust engines developed by Guizhou Engine Development Institute could power newly designed and developed Chinese regional jets.

Is this a high bypass engine derived from the engine in the JL-10? That would be like half the power of the CJ-500.
This is a pretty big deal considering we have no de facto confirmation of the JL-10 having even switched from the Ivchenko-Progress Al-222 to the Chinese engine.

- The H-20 could be using large-bypass engines, but I believe it won't be from the WS-18 series; instead, it will be a newly-designed engine.

If it is true they are developing a high power military engine core maybe the H-20 engine setup will be quite different from what I expected. It could have engines of the category of the NK-32 or larger.

 

[latenlazy]

Although there is still a question if they have the facilities to simulate high altitude testing on the ground as well or not.

They've had high altitude testing facilities since the early development of the WS-10.

I doubt CJ-2000 will be ready by 2030 when the C929 aircraft is supposed to be ready. Maybe it will be doing ground or captive testing by that point. For it to be ready to put under the wing in 2030 you should have seen tests of it already.

The CJ-2000 has already completed 3000 hours of limit testing.

 

[Tomboy]

is this a high bypass engine derived from the engine in the JL-10? That would be like half the power of the CJ-500.
This is a pretty big deal considering we have no de facto confirmation of the JL-10 having even switched from the Ivchenko-Progress Al-222 to the Chinese engine.

You are overthinking this, C909 is a half dead project so they probably do not see much purpose in redesigning it to fit the new domestic engine. He's saying the C909 replacement will use domestic engines.

 

[gelgoog]

You are overthinking this, C909 is a half dead project so they probably do not see much purpose in redesigning it to fit the new domestic engine. He's saying the C909 replacement will use domestic engines.

Even if it is they will need some sort of replacement aircraft. Which will need an engine.

 

[Tomboy]

Even if it is they will need some sort of replacement aircraft. Which will need an engine.

He mentioned Guizhou designing a high bypass engine for this, the replacement aircraft probably is still on internal PPT slides.