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NPO Saturn AL-55
The NPO Saturn AL-55 is a high performance turbofan engine manufactured by NPO Saturn Russia, for powering advanced trainers, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and light attack aircraft. A variant of the AL-55I powers the HAL HJT-36 Sitara Indian jet trainer. DevelopmentIndia's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, from 1999, was developing HAL HJT-36 Sitara, a subsonic intermediate jet trainer aircraft for the Indian Air Force to replace the ageing HAL HJT-16 Kiran. The prototype aircraft was initially powered by a SNECMA Turbomeca Larzac 04-H-20 non-afterburning turbofan developing 14.12 kN of thrust.[1] However, as stipulated by the 2005 Air Staff Qualitative Requirements (ASQRs) from the Air Force there was a requirement of higher thrust engines.[2] In April 2005, the Larzac engine was to be replaced by NPO Saturn AL-55I (16.9 kN) to meet training requirements. The AL-55I engine would be a Joint Venture of HAL and NPO Saturn and the deal for the development of the same was signed with Rosoboronexport in August. A funding of ₹159 crore (equivalent to ₹540 crore or US$62 million in 2023) by the Indian Ministry of Defence was released for the higher thrust engine development.[3][4] As per a CAG report on IJT, in February 2014, the engine developed (AL-55I) had a Total Technical Life (TTL) of only 300 hours against the required 3600 hours provided in the ASQR. However, by 2013, it was told that the contract for engine development was fulfilled and the JV intended to increase the TTL to 600 hours though IAF insisted a TTL of 1,200 hours. The increase of TTL was important as ASQR projected a "utilisation rate" of 30 hrs/month per aircraft which meant the engines needed to be replaced every 10 months.[4][1] On 14 July 2021, it was reported that the United Engine Corporation had deliver two units of AL-55I engines to HAL for the HJT-36 programme. The life cycle of the improved engines were increased to 1,200 hours . Earlier, 16 engines had been supplied to HAL for the prototypes and limited series production (LSP) aircraft. The engines were reportedly ready for licenced production in India.[5][6][7] The new engines also had an improved thrust of 17.27 kN and also featured a reduction of over 50 kg weight.[1]DesignThe design comprises five main features. It has a three-stage low pressure compressor, five stage high pressure chamber, an annular combustion chamber and a single stage high and low pressure turbines. Variants
ApplicationsSpecificationsData from UEC Saturn.[9] General characteristics
Components
Performance
See alsoReferences Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saturn AL-55.
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