Antonov has selected the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 150A turboprop engine to power the under development An-132 airlifter. Both com...
Antonov has selected the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 150A turboprop engine to power the under development An-132 airlifter.
Both companies has signed an agreement according to which the first two PW150A engines to power the prototype aircraft, will be delivered in April 2016, followed by maiden flight in late 2016.
The multi-role light weight An-132 airlifter is being developed in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Saudi Arabia, based on the Soviet era An-32 airlifter, featuring the new engine, western avionics system and other systems.
The An-132 is intended for short and medium haul routes, capable of a maximum cruising speed of 500 kilometers per hour and a maximum cruising altitude of 9,000 meters with a maximum payload of 9.2 tonnes. Antonov projects a potential market for the aircraft of 200 units between 2018 and 2025.
Part of the successful PW100 engine family, the PW150 offers the lowest fuel consumption and carbon emissions in the regional turboprop market and incorporates the latest, proven advanced technologies. The engine will improve the reliability and performance of the aircraft to western standards.
The twin spool 5000 shp engine features a four stage compressor, with a dual channel redundant FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) that ease operation and reduce pilot workload. The engine can be started with a electric motor and does not require the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU).
Antonov will built a manufacturing plant for the aircraft in Saudi Arabia, to develop the aerospace capabilities of the Kingdom
