The bench tests of modernized TV3-117VMA-SBM1V engine for helicopters of Russian air forces have been successfully completed. It has been reported by the chairman of state commission, Lieutenant Colonel Vladislav Bruskov. AEX.ru 

The act has been presented to the President, Chairman of the Board of “Vladimir Klimov – Motor Sich engines”, Anatoly Sitnov, during a solemn ceremony. He said: «There are no noticing preventing this engine being phased in and the list of shortcomings is very short. We have some acts with around 150 positions and this time this number is very low. It underlines the technical perfection of the engine. I would also like to admit that the engineering changes made in the basic model during creation of TV3-117VMA-SBM1V significantly increase its competitiveness». 

According to Anatoly Sitnov, this engine has no rivals in Russia and foreign countries. «Its special feature is the possibility of adjusting the automatic control system for different takeoff output – from 2500 to 2800 HP depending on the type of helicopter. It also has an increased resource – up to 4000 hours. At present, all the operated gas-turbine engines have a limitation by temperature of + 38 degrees, while TV3-117VMA-SBM1V may be operated in conditions with ambient temperature of + 52 – it means that you do not have to wait until sunset or temperature changes. You just get into the helicopter and fly in any conditions» - Anatoly Sitnov explained. 

The next phase is flight testing. A new helicopter has been assigned by the Ministry of Defense for the flight testing. It will be delivered from Kazan helicopter plant in accordance with state defense order. 

It should be noted that TV3-117VMA-SBM1V has already passed the flight testing procedure in Ukraine on Mi-24 and Mi8MTV helicopters. Mi-8 has climbed at 8100 m in 13 minutes and Mi-24 – on 5000 m in 9 minutes. It is twice higher than the nominal climb-out speed for these aircraft.