JSC "UEC-Klimov" (part of the United Engine Corporation of Rostec) has created a demonstrator engine VK-1600V without drawings, using only electronic modeling. Representatives of the enterprise spoke about this at the International Exhibition of the Helicopter Industry HeliRussia-2021.

The design documentation for the VK-1600V engine has been fully released in electronic form. Development is carried out using the PDM system (Product Data Management, information management system). Among the advantages of 3D design: the relevance of models, the minimum number of information objects (the model and the drawing are combined), ease of reading (interactive work with the model). The system allows designing the engine directly inside the helicopter model, monitoring the docking of objects inside the engine and inside the nacelle.

"The main feature of the VK-1600V is that the design is carried out entirely in context. Models with applied annotations are used as design documentation. This is the first engine in the history of Russian engine building, designed in this way. At the moment, a demonstrator engine is being manufactured. In parallel with these works, equipment is being installed at the stand of "UEC-Klimov" for testing," said during his speech, Deputy Program Director - Acting Anton Kolosov, deputy chief designer of VK-1600 JSC "UEC-Klimov".

JSC UEC-Klimov plans to present the VK-1600V demonstrator engine in the third quarter of 2021. The assembled demonstrator engine will go to the first tests, where its main characteristics, stated in the technical assignment for the product, must be confirmed. It is planned to obtain a type certificate in 2023, and in 2024 to start serial production of the engine. "The VK-1600V demonstrator is created using additive technologies. About 70% of the casting during the creation of the demonstrator engine was replaced by 3D printing. This is the body of the first support, and many elements of the "hot section", and heat devices "- continued Anton Kolosov.

The new engine is designed for installation on Ka-62 helicopters, multipurpose and special helicopters with a takeoff weight of 5-8 tons. To date, there are no domestic engines of this size. On the basis of VK-1600V, it is planned to create an aircraft modification for light passenger and transport regional aircraft. The power of the VK-1600V in takeoff mode is 1400 hp. A modern automatic regulation and control unit BARK-15V, which was also developed by JSC UEC-Klimov, will work together with the engine.