The Fighters Have Stalled
Work on the fifth generation engine for Russian combat airplanes has been frozen because of an absence of money
Work on the fifth generation engine for combat airplanes has ceased, Top management of the NPO Saturn company, which leads the alliance of plants involved in the project, is announcing. The engineers argue their decision is a lack of financing – the defense ministry still has not signed a contract with the association of engine builders. A VZGLYAD newspaper source in aircraft construction is convinced that the funds for the creation of the airplane with a new engine will be found.
“Work on the fifth generation engine for combat airplanes has been frozen,” they declared to the VZGLYAD newspaper at NPO Saturn, “and it will be resumed only after the defense ministry signs a corresponding contract.” According to the developers, they need “financial and administrative support to create equipment on time.” They refused to specify the amount of funds at Saturn, referring to the information’s secrecy. And they did not disclose at the NPO even the confirmed periods for creation of the fifth generation engine. The participants of the cooperation emphasized only that “without defense ministry support, the creation of the future engine is impossible, and we are counting on the wisdom of state policy.”
The lead scientific research institute of aviation industry economics expert, Oleg Panteleev, accuses “bureaucratic red tape” in the realization of the state program. “Most likely, it is one of the reasons for the recent retirement of air force commander-in-chief Vladimir Mikhaylov,” Mr. Panteleev supposes.
Work on the firth generation engine for the future aviation complex of tactical aviation (PAK FA) began in December 2006. One kilogram of engine weight creates 10 kilograms of thrust in the fifth generation engine. Temperature in front of the turbine is supposed to be stoichiometric – over ((ZA)) 2,000 degrees Kelvin. From the economic point of view, the engine is supposed to be cheaper than a fourth cycle ((sic)) engine. Moreover, it is supposed to have high ((BOL’SHAYA)) non-afterburning thrust, because one of the main criteria of a fifth generation airplane is supersonic cruise, and it is supposed to be invulnerable to air defense forces.
NPO Saturn had been able to receive money for the development of production also from a strategic investor. At the end of 2006, the enterprise’s top management held discussions with a number of American companies. Later, the joint stock financing company ((AFK)) Sistema became interested in engine construction. The Vladimir Evtushenkov concern undertook the formation of the Perm’ Engine Building Center. AFK bought Perm’ Motors. The investors decided to incorporate the Ufa Motor Building Production Association and NPO Saturn with it. According to unofficial information, Rosoboronehksport appeared as a customer for the integration of the engine building assets.
An information campaign began around the production association. The general director and largest stockholder of the enterprise, Yuriy Lastochik, had to convince investors that he had not sold his holdings. “NPO Saturn does not need any kind of intermediaries in relations with the state,” it says in a company report distributed in February.
A VZGLYAD newspaper source in aircraft construction is convinced that “we nonetheless will make the airplane – with new armament and engine.” The source declared under conditions of anonymity that the funds for creation of the flight vehicle will be found. “The program for creation of the airplane is on schedule,” he emphasized.
The source looks at the possibility of attracting a foreign strategic investor in NPO Saturn stock with irony: The engine will have, most likely, a narrow application – for a definite sector of domestic combat airplanes. This means Russian companies will be trading in them. An investor, while investing money, will want to find out when the funds will be recaptured, and demands a sales plan be demonstrated. But this is impossible because the information itself is a state secret.”
Another VZGLYAD source, acquainted with the allocation of forces in the industry, is convinced that NPO Saturn’s difficulties are not connected with any intrigues around the engine building holding companies. “Rosoboronehksport would hardly take such a step. It is pointless to cut off financing of the most important state program for pressuring Saturn,” the source is convinced.
Source: 17.05.07, Vzglyad, Correspondent: Georgiy Voronkov, Petr Kanaev
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