Eh. The text says platform thrust. That makes it sound like this is the thrust they got on a testing platform.
Chinese Engine Development
- Thread starter jackbh
- Start date
Yeah but this power point slide is taken from a TV show about AVIC. They don’t even call it Y-20 in the show but H(Hang)-20. I wouldn’t read too much into it.
broadsword
Brigadier
Is the WS-20 based on the D-30?
Some variant of CFM Leap has a thrust of 144 kN.
I expect WS-20 to be around this figure ( 130-140 kN) but certainly not as efficient, noice reduced or endurance optimized as CFM Leap.
( Obvious as the most advanced materials aren't being used).
The CFM-56 series goes up to 153kN, actually (-5C for the A340-200/300).
Incidentally, this is close to the sweet spot for a 220t Y-20, if you extrapolate from the slightly smaller Il-76MD-90 with de-rated PS-90s and the larger C-17A with 180kN engines. I don't really expect less than 140kN from the WS-20, 160 seems rather high but still just about credible - as latenlazy suggests, it might be bench thrust during deliberately demanding endurance testing.
Such tests are frequently run in a way that makes the engine hit multiple red lines (rotational speed, pressure, temperature) simultaneously in an operating condition outside the certified envelope. The idea is to accelerate wear, so you don't have to spend years on the bench if you want to study how various components deteriorate, and the by-product is thrust levels higher than permitted in service.
Incidentally, this is close to the sweet spot for a 220t Y-20, if you extrapolate from the slightly smaller Il-76MD-90 with de-rated PS-90s and the larger C-17A with 180kN engines. I don't really expect less than 140kN from the WS-20, 160 seems rather high but still just about credible - as latenlazy suggests, it might be bench thrust during deliberately demanding endurance testing.
Such tests are frequently run in a way that makes the engine hit multiple red lines (rotational speed, pressure, temperature) simultaneously in an operating condition outside the certified envelope. The idea is to accelerate wear, so you don't have to spend years on the bench if you want to study how various components deteriorate, and the by-product is thrust levels higher than permitted in service.
It appears that the upcoming Zhuhai Airshow will display a lot of interesting stuffs (biggest suspense is if any sign of H-20 will appear). On the engine front, here is the relevant news.
In particular, highlights from the press release from the public account of China AeroEngine.
They are going to show quite a few engines at the show. Some likely interpretations:
1. 太行发动机发展型。 Mostly likely WS-10C, already equipped on J-20. We know WS-10B on J-10C has a thrust of 144KN by official account. Since this WS-10 is an improved version of WS-10B, its thrust may be at least at 155KN, consistent with some running rumors. This has exceeded the original thrust goal of WS-15!
2. AEP500。This turboprop is the civilian variant of the military engines for KJ-600 and medium weight transporter Y-30. We've seen KJ-600 flying last year. This means this class of the turboprop engine is ready.
3. AEP60E and AEF100. While AEP500 is the 5000KW turboprop, AEP60E is the 600KW version. E stands for enhancement. AEF100 would be the 1-ton thrust turbofan engine, the corresponding military version would be used for UAVs.
4. Full-sized CJ1000 with nacelle display model. This is the domestic engine for C919. With nacelle it might suggest that CJ1000 is close to finalization.
Combined with other engine news (WS-20, WS-15, WS-19, WZ-16), strong indications that China is making progress across the board in aircraft engines.
In particular, highlights from the press release from the public account of China AeroEngine.
They are going to show quite a few engines at the show. Some likely interpretations:
1. 太行发动机发展型。 Mostly likely WS-10C, already equipped on J-20. We know WS-10B on J-10C has a thrust of 144KN by official account. Since this WS-10 is an improved version of WS-10B, its thrust may be at least at 155KN, consistent with some running rumors. This has exceeded the original thrust goal of WS-15!
2. AEP500。This turboprop is the civilian variant of the military engines for KJ-600 and medium weight transporter Y-30. We've seen KJ-600 flying last year. This means this class of the turboprop engine is ready.
3. AEP60E and AEF100. While AEP500 is the 5000KW turboprop, AEP60E is the 600KW version. E stands for enhancement. AEF100 would be the 1-ton thrust turbofan engine, the corresponding military version would be used for UAVs.
4. Full-sized CJ1000 with nacelle display model. This is the domestic engine for C919. With nacelle it might suggest that CJ1000 is close to finalization.
Combined with other engine news (WS-20, WS-15, WS-19, WZ-16), strong indications that China is making progress across the board in aircraft engines.
Is the red lines test also done so that in the event of an emergency and needing more power, the pilot can override the regular limits and have reasonable confidence that the engine won't fail catastrophically?
Very nice news, especially on the turboprop front. China seems to have very little presence here. I wonder if we'll see more Chinese turboprops in the Y9, MA700, WJ600 and Harbin Y12 series
For the CJ1000 I have low hopes. It will probably be a decade or more before we see it in widespread commercial service.
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