Soloviev D-30
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The Soloviev D-30 is a two-shaft low-bypass turbofan engine, officially referred to as a "bypass turbojet." A supersonic afterburning version, the D-30F6 is used in the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31 interceptor, while non-afterburning civilian versions, the D-30Kp and D-30KU is used in the Ilyushin Il-62M and Tupolev Tu-154M airliners, and in the Ilyushin Il-76 heavy cargo aircraft.
In the mid-1970s, the Soviet Union began the search for a high-speed, high-altitude interceptor to replace its somewhat disappointing MiG-25 Foxbat. To combat problems stemming from the tendency of the Foxbat's engines to self-destruct at maximum throttle in high-speed situations, a new engine was needed to power this new interceptor, which would become known as the MiG-31 (NATO reporting name Foxhound).
The Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) Design Firm then contracted Soloviev (later Aviadvigatel, now Perm) to build a low-bypass turbofan to power their new aircraft. Aviadvigatel came up with the D30-F6 turbofan. Capable of generating 9,500 kgf (20,900 lbf or 93 kN) dry thrust and 15,500 kgf (34,200 lbf or 152 kN) afterburning thrust, the engine gave MiG's new fighter a top speed exceeding 1,800 mph, and a maximum takeoff weight of 101,000 lb (45,800 kg). These powerful engines also allowed the large and complex fighter to attain supersonic speeds at low altitudes under 5,000 feet.
[edit] Uses in Soviet and Russian Aircraft
The D30-F6 is a very powerful engine, excessively powerful for most airframes. Therefore, its use has been very limited. The massive Aviadvigatels have only been used in two aircraft designs-the MiG-31 Foxhound and the experimental Su-47 (formerly S-37) Berkut, manufactured by Sukhoi. However, even the Su-47 may soon be switching to more modern Saturn-Lyulka AL-37 or AL-41F thrust-vectoring turbofans, similar to those used in the Su-35/37 and the Su-47's competitor, the MiG 1.42. Any other future uses of the D30-F6 are questionable, at best.
[edit] References
- Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1995
- www.flymig.com/aircraft/Su-47/
- www.fighter-planes.com/info/s37.htm
[edit] External links
- D-30F6 description at manufacturer's site
- D-30KP description at manufacturer's site (for Il-76)
- D-30KU description at manufacturer's site (for Il-62M)
- D-30KU-154 description at manufacturer's site (for Tu-154M)
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