The D-18T engine was once developed specifically for civilian cargo aircraft. Such motors can be installed, for example, on the AN-124 Ruslan or AN-225 Mriya. There are several modifications of the D-18T.
A bit of history
This model was developed a very long time ago - in the 70s of the last century. This engine was created in Zaporozhye in the center of the ICD "Progress" named after A. G. Ivchenko. The head of the design bureau responsible for the development of the D-18T engine was V. A. Lotarev. Initially, the model was created specifically for super-heavy cargo aircraft.
As an analogue for the new engine, the designers used the American General Electric TF-39 engine , which had a thrust of 18,200 kgf. This model was then installed on Lockheed C5A aircraft.
The work to create the D-18T was difficult. After all, " General Electric TF-39" was originally intended exclusively for military aircraft. Before the engineers of the Progress Design Bureau, the country's leadership was tasked with developing an engine suitable for use in civil aviation. A lot of changes would have to be made.
In order to facilitate the task, the designers of the new model decided to use the English RB.211-22, which is more suitable for this purpose , instead of " General Electric TF-39" . To copy it was required to purchase about 8 of these motors. However, the British Ministry of Defense guessed that the USSR needed the engines specifically for copying. Therefore, the British nevertheless agreed to sell such engines, but in the amount necessary to install at least 100 aircraft.
Spending that kind of money to buy engines just to make an analogue was, of course, impractical. Therefore, the engineers decided not to change the originally selected prototype and to develop the design of the D-18T engine nevertheless according to General Electric TF-39.
How was developed
The creation of the new D-18T was truly a turning point for the activities of the ICD Progress . The development of this model required engineers to solve a variety of complex problems in the field of:
When developing the gas-dynamic system of the new model, the D-36 engine was used as a prototype. At the same time, the engineers had to slightly correct only a few of its components.
Flight tests
The answer to the question of where the D-18T engine is used are thus the Ruslan and Mriya aircraft. This technique is actually very powerful, and its engines, of course, should be as reliable as possible. Therefore, before starting the new model in mass production, it had to be carefully checked for performance, reliability and safety. Flight tests of the new engine began in 1982. An air laboratory designed on the basis of the IL-76 aircraft was used.
During engine tests, a total of 414 flights with a duration of 1288 hours were completed. The most experienced pilots performed the test. Serial production of the D-18T model began in 1985.
Model reviews: key benefits
For its time, the D-18T engine, according to many pilots and designers, was actually a very advanced engine. Its parameters were in no way inferior to the characteristics of the best foreign models intended for installation on civilian aircraft. And in some cases even surpassed them. Among the advantages of this engine, among other things, aviators then attributed and now relate:
The low specific fuel consumption of the model was ensured by large values of the bypass ratio and pressure increase. The designers managed to reduce the mass of the engine through the use of new modern materials during assembly.
Among other things, the designers and pilots include the advantages of this engine :
Also an undoubted advantage of these engines is the simplicity of design and complete maintainability.
D-18T engine: basic design information
D-18T belongs to the type of models made according to the three-shaft scheme. It consists of a total of 17 modules. Each of the latter, if necessary, can be replaced directly by employees of the transport airline without major repairs at the plant. This, of course, makes the engine as easy to use as possible.
Major modifications
Currently, three types of D-18T engines are used in cargo aviation:
The latest engine modification is installed on the AN-218 aircraft.
Specifications
The design of this model is thoughtful and rational. Technical characteristics of the D-18T engine are also just excellent. What specific parameters this model differs from can be found in the table below.
Specifications D-18TParameter | Value |
Diameter | 2300 |
Fuel consumption | 0.34 kg / kgf · h |
Take-off thrust | 23430 kgf |
Overhaul resource | 6000 h |
Dry weight | 4100 kg (for series 3) |
New D-18T models
The originally designated repair resource for this engine model was 1,000 hours. The motor was later improved. At the moment, aviation also uses D-18T series 3 and 4. A model of the 5th series is also being created, which will be installed on AN-124NG aircraft. It is estimated that this engine will be 15% more economical than its predecessors.
Who produces
A pilot batch of D-18T engines was produced in the 70s at the Zaporizhzhya Engine Plant. This oldest enterprise was founded in 1907 at the initiative of the tsarist government. Until 1915, the plant was engaged in the production of agricultural equipment.
In 1915, the company was acquired by Deka joint stock company. The new owners decided to change the profile of the enterprise. The plant began to master the assembly of aircraft engines. The first engine, which had 6 cylinders, was made at this facility in 1916. It was called "Deck M-100." This engine was created by a group of engineers led by Vorobyov.
Currently, Zaporizhzhya Engine Plant has been renamed into Motor Sich PJSC. Until 2013, its director was V.A. Boguslaev. In 2013, S. A. Voitenko was appointed to his post.
After the company successfully coped with the release of the experimental model D-18T, it was he who was chosen for the mass production of these engines. The factory is engaged in their release to this day. It is this engine that is currently its main product. The company also supplies gas turbine power plants to the market .
D-18T and politics
It is no secret to anyone that relations between Russia and Ukraine have recently worsened significantly. This affected, of course, including the economy of both states. At the moment, the Russian AN-124 and AN-225 are still flying exactly on the D-18T engines (a photo of them is presented on the page) produced by the Zaporizhzhya enterprise. However, soon the situation may change.
The Russian government decided to equip the Ruslan and Mriya cargo aircraft with domestic engines. Replacement is expected to begin in 2019. Today, the NK-32 Series 2 is considered the base model for today (2017). This engine was developed under the White Swan bomber. Its advantage is the presence of a turbine design that can withstand prolonged high-temperature conditions.
One of the main problems in creating a new engine model for the AN-124 and 225, designers consider the change in size of the analogue of NK-32. After all, the model should be placed in those compartments in which D-18T is currently installed.
Maintenance: possible malfunctions
The D-18T engine is a powerful and reliable device. However, it must be serviced on time and only by licensed, trained specialists.
Faults in this engine can be detected, for example, such:
the engine does not start after pressing the corresponding button;
after starting, the motor overheats sharply;
the rotor begins to rotate, but does not spin;
All these and any other malfunctions must, of course, be completely eliminated immediately. Only then can the engine be allowed to operate. In order to minimize the search and elimination of problems, the specialist should use on-board information as well. This allows you to understand under what conditions a malfunction has occurred.