I think a lot of these “took too long” engine projects were mostly just getting constant redesigns because the tech base was improving very quickly while they were in the testing process.
Chinese Engine Development
- Thread starter jackbh
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how you are always so correct .. XD
during 2021 airshow, Y-20 chief designer said. WS-20 has reached out to the point of being in mass production.. basically project was completed back then but as you said. the rapid rise of China's material/high end manufacturing delaying these projects as institute keep upgrading the machine with latest component..
AECC showcase ''3D printed Nickel based superalloy'' and your reaction was WOWWW .. so please elaborate what is the significance of Technology ???
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It'd be interesting to see the specs on the WS-20 now.
Although I think WS-15 entering production sooner than people expected also was a factor here.
I was for example surprised when the guy from AECC last year basically said WS-15 was in mass production, but WS-20 was not.
I know how R&D works.
If its performance is better than cast parts that means they’ve got the metal powder laser sintering performance down *really* good. Fan blades are subject to a lot of strain and have to meet high durability and fatigue requirements which means the micro-structural consistency and integrity of the material must be very good. 3D printing has traditionally been inferior on this front to other metal parts production methods.
This is just brilliant.
So the current family of aero engine they are building are around AES100
And that covers various AEP engines from 500kW to 900kW in the case of AEP100. They also have the very large AEP500 for 5000kW engine.
This new MW level hybrid propulsion system is very interesting. And looks like they have a 800KW one also. And they have the motors, turbo generator and permanent magnet alternator also. They got the entire tech stack.
So basically, they can fully replace the current generation of AEP engines.
To put things in perspective, the current WJ-6 used on Y-9 has cruising power of 2600kW.
And the PW-100 engine planned for MA-700 has power of 1350kW
At the pace in which electrification is going in EV sector, I wouldn't be surprised if they have this new hybrid propulsion on fixed and rotary aircraft testing over the next couple of years.
The efficiency gain from using hybrid over pure mechanical is just going to be so huge.
If AECC can do this correctly, they will decimate GE and PW at least in turboprop and turboshaft category.