It is planned to develop a flying test-bed derived from Tu-214 aircraft (№ 64501) in order to develop the all-electric aircraft concept. In future the jet will be upgraded to Tu-214E version, ITAR-TASS reports.

The all-electric aircraft (AEA) is an aircraft having a centralized electric power supply system meeting all of the vehicle’s energy needs.

"During development of a test engine for the AEA derived from PS-90A we must use all the experienced gained during development of PD-14 engine. We should use state-of-the-art technologies in the area of design and production", - General Designer and Managing Director of Aviadvigatel, Alexander Inozemtsev, said.

At present the Russia’s leading companies are developing a concept of the AEA’s powerplant. This is one of the global aviation’s strategic trends.

Aviadvigatel held a meeting of a Research and Development Board dedicated to development of an engine for AEA. Earlier the Expert Board of Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after N.E. Zhukovsky (TsAGI) recommended Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade approve the draft “Comprehensive program for development of an all-electric aircraft". This program will be in force from 2014 to 2022. PS-90A engine will be upgraded by Aviadvigatel in cooperation with other enterprises.

Over 100 enterprises of aircraft, radio-electronic and electrical engineering industries as well as some leading institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences will be involved in the program,