The following goal was set: to fit An-124 Ruslan heavy transport aircraft with indigenous engines (to replace D-18T engines manufactured in Ukraine) in 2019, Interfax-AVN reports with reference to Kuznetsov Company Deputy General Designer, Anton Shatskiy.

“The schedule is very tough. We have to fit in the dimensions of D-18T nacelle. Despite all the difficulties, we can solve this problem,” Shatskiy said.

According to him, NK-32 series 2 is considered as a baseline engine. This engine was developed for Tu-160 aircraft. It has a unique turbine, which is able to withstand long-term high-temperature loads.

“In 2015 Kuznetsov Company studied the possibilities for using the core of NK-32 engine for developing the new engine for An-124 aircraft,” Shatskiy said.

He noted that initial studies show that the engine derived from NK-32 will offer a maximum takeoff thrust of 24 tons (D-18T offers 23,4 tons), and its thrust at the altitude of 11km and a speed of 0,75 M will be 5 tons.