2024-03-25 08:00:29
Monday, 25 March 2024 10:35:53
From MiG-31 to F-35: a new generation of jet engines
Experts from Military Watch Magazine analyzed the impact of the advent of the jet era on the importance of military aircraft engine performance, emphasizing that while there are a variety of important parameters such as ease of maintenance, periods between required repairs, weight that is added to the overall weight of the aircraft, and fuel efficiency, the most key characteristic of an engine is its ability to develop thrust.
Analysts emphasized that engines with high thrust power improve a variety of flight characteristics, including increased rate of climb, maximum speed, operational altitude and maneuverability in various flight modes. It has also been noted that aircraft with a high thrust-to-weight ratio can use shorter runways, which becomes strategically important in wartime conditions when airfields may be targets of attack.
Moreover, engines with the ability to generate high power are ideal for powering airborne systems such as radars and electronic warfare systems, and in the future, possibly directed energy weapons such as lasers.
The study also mentions that the leading position in the production of the most powerful jet engines has been shared between the United States and the Soviet Union for decades. However, with the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Russia began to gradually lose its position in this area. On the other hand, China, thanks to its economic growth, investments in the defense sector and leadership in global patenting, began to actively increase its development in the field of aircraft engines from the late 2010s, becoming a leading position in this direction.
In the context of international competition in the field of aviation technology, the authors note that the combat aircraft of some other countries, such as France, although lighter in weight, used engines with insufficient thrust, which did not allow them to compete on equal terms in terms of high flight performance. The authors noted the five most powerful engines ever used on fighter aircraft:
© MOD Russia / via Globallookpress.com / Global Look Press
The D-30F-6M engine for the MiG-31M has a thrust of 195 kN and was developed specifically for the MiG-31M interceptor, which first flew in 1985 and was expected to become the main interceptor in the USSR. This engine is 28% more powerful than the previous model, which allowed the MiG-31M to achieve even greater speed and flight altitude. However, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, funding for the project was reduced, and this affected the serial production of the MiG-31M, despite its readiness for mass production.
© Wolfgang Kumm / dpa / Global Look Press
The F135 engine, on the fifth generation F-35 fighter, has a thrust of 191 kN. It was the most powerful engine when the F-35 entered service in 2015. Despite this, the F-35 might not reach supersonic speed without firing followingburners, and its top speed and altitude remained lower than many modern fighters. The F135 subsequently encountered reliability problems and required significant maintenance.
© Alexander Chaplygin / Russian Look / Global Look Press
The AL-41F for the MiG 1.42 fighter with 191 kN thrust was developed as part of an ambitious program to create a long-range air superiority fighter that might replace the Su-27. Production of the engine began in the late 1990s, but the MiG 1.42 program was closed due to financial restrictions in post-Soviet Russia, which prevented this powerful engine from entering mass production.
© Deng Hua / XinHua / Global Look Press
The WS-15, being developed for an improved version of the Chinese fifth-generation fighter J-20B, should provide a thrust of 183 kN. This will make the J-20B the most powerful modern fighter aircraft. The WS-15 will allow the J-20B to reach supersonic speeds without the use of followingburners and will provide significantly improved flight performance compared to the J-20A equipped with the older WS-10 engine.
© Dmitry Radchenko
The AL-51 (developed as the Saturn 30) is intended to be an upgraded version of the Russian fifth-generation fighter Su-57M and is expected to provide 177 kN of thrust. This engine will contribute to the Su-57’s even greater low- and high-speed maneuverability, improved fuel efficiency and lower operating costs compared to the current AL-31 and AL-41F-1S engines.
The magazine noted that the development of aircraft engines remains the most important factor in ensuring the competitiveness of military aviation on the world stage. Improvements in this area not only improve the existing characteristics of military aircraft, such as speed, altitude and maneuverability, but also expand their combat capabilities by increasing the efficiency of the use of on-board weapons and systems.
The development of engines such as the D-30F-6M, F135, AL-41F, WS-15 and AL-51 underscores the desire of the world’s leading powers to strengthen their position in the air. These engines, each with unique characteristics and advantages, provide the basis for more advanced and efficient combat aircraft. Particular attention is paid not only to power and thrust, but also to fuel efficiency, reliability and the ability to operate for a long time without major repairs, which are critical for military aircraft used in high-stress and intensive use environments.
An important aspect is that these developments help strengthen not only the offensive, but also the defensive capabilities of countries. Fighters with more powerful engines can more effectively counter potential threats, quickly respond to airborne targets, and protect strategically important facilities and territories. In addition, advances in aircraft propulsion technology pave the way for the integration of new technologies, such as directed energy weapons, which require significant power to operate, thus increasing the potential of military aircraft in future conflicts.
Thus, innovation in aircraft engine development plays a key role in shaping the air force of the future, with an emphasis not only on improving its combat effectiveness, but also on improving its performance and reducing maintenance costs. This direction of development remains one of the priorities for ensuring security and strengthening the defense capability of states in the international arena.
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