UEC-Klimov has begun research into a hybrid power plant, the lead developer of which is a St. Petersburg enterprise.

"As part of research and development work, a demonstrator of a hybrid power plant (GSU) will be created on the basis of the VK-650V engine in 2023," says Mikhail Shemet, deputy director of the PDV program of JSC UEC-Klimov. "Development work on the creation of a GSU for the needs of the aircraft is planned to be completed in 2028. Potential objects for the use of GSU are promising unmanned aerial vehicles, regional airliners and light multipurpose helicopters."

In August 2020, the UEC initiated a project to create a demonstrator of a hybrid power plant. JSC UEC-Klimov was appointed as the main contractor and developer. The project is aimed at gaining competencies in creating elements of a hybrid plant and their subsequent integration into a single system.

The use of hybrid power will increase the airmobility of citizens, says the company, and help in solving problems of transporting goods to hard-to-reach regions, geological exploration and monitoring, in particular, due to the emergence of the possibility of creating new types of aircraft. The hybrid propulsion system meets the concept of a "more electric" aircraft, therefore, it allows solving special tasks such as electronic warfare, signal relaying, radar, etc.

"Undoubtedly, disruptive technologies require an alternative approach. Hybridization of aircraft power plants will significantly increase efficiency with relatively less financial and time costs. The challenge that we face is ambitious, but very interesting and important not only for the engine building industry, but also for electrical engineering, electronics and power sources. It is necessary to ensure the leadership of Russia in the market of aviation hybrid technologies," comments the executive director of JSC UEC-Klimov, Alexander Vatagin.