Helicopters

The first all-new turboshaft helicopter engine designed and built in Russia for the past 20 years – the Klimov VK-800 – was launched at the Paris air show yesterday.
In the 600-1,000shp class, the engine family is also the first by Klimov to be designed entirely using CAD technology.

With its high-pressure (10:1) single-stage centrifugal compressor the engine could be developed to produce up to 1,200shp and Klimov claims it may be produced in different types, including a turbocharged version and possibly an engine built for fixed-wing aircraft. Designed for low fuel consumption (around 4% better than current engines in class) the engine weighs in at 140kg.

Produced with the Kazan Ansat medium-twin helicopter in mind, the VK-800 will be priced competitively at €j210,000 and Klimov is aiming for certification in 2009.