The PD-8 turbofan engine, intended as the full domestic replacement for the Superjet SJ-100’s previous powerplant, has completed a key phase of certification trials. The engine successfully finished 150-hour tests at maximum operating conditions, as conducted by the testing program.
This milestone supports the broader certification timeline for the SJ-100, a narrow-body passenger jet now equipped entirely with Russian-made components, including PD-8 engines, avionics, landing gear, and various systems. The third fully Russian SJ-100 prototype, bearing factory number 97003, began test flights on April 23 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Its 40-minute maiden flight reached 3,000 meters and 500 km/h, verifying control, hydraulics, air conditioning, piloting, navigation, and PD-8 gas dynamic stability, with landing gear operations tested in flight.
Rosaviatsia has scheduled PD-8 certification for April 2026 and SJ-100 type certification for July 2026. The PD-8 has now exceeded 6,100 test hours overall. Three prototypes are active in the program: the first with Russian systems and SaM146 engines since last year, the second with PD-8 and some imported parts since March 2025, and the newest fully domestic version. Plans call for 30 SJ-100s built in 2026 and 142 by 2030, with deliveries to airlines targeted for 2026 following certification.