[Frontier of science and technology].
Beijing, January 29 -- Reporter Cui Xingyi learned from the China Aero Engine Group on January 29 that the iceworthiness test of the AES100 advanced civil turboshaft engine independently developed by AECC was successfully completed a few days ago, marking an important breakthrough in the airworthiness technology of the turboshaft engine and filling the gap in China.
The aviation industry is known as the "crown" of modern industry, and the aero engine is also known as the "crown jewel" of modern industry, and its research and development concentrates the most cutting-edge technology and the most advanced achievements of modern industry. AES100 engine is China's first type of completely independent innovation and development, with the contemporary international advanced level of civil turboshaft engine, which can meet the power needs of 5 to 6 tons of twin-engine and 3 to 4 tons of single-engine advanced UAVs, suitable for sightseeing, patrol, police, rescue and other fields, with broad market prospects.
The whole machine icing test uses special equipment to simulate harsh icing weather conditions to verify the safety and reliability of the engine when working in this environment. During the test, the researchers used the equipment to spray water mist into the inlet air flow of the engine to simulate the atmospheric cloud and fog icing environment that the engine may encounter in the air, so as to test the stable working ability of the engine in the process of ice formation and shedding. After passing dozens of test projects such as icing envelopes, researchers determined that the AES100 engine met the design goals and airworthiness requirements.
Yin Zeyong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said that the anti-icing design and test capability of aero engines is not only the core technology of engine development, but also the technology that must be overcome and mastered by the engine through airworthiness certification. For the first time, China has completed the icing and airworthiness test of the whole aircraft, which is of great significance for accelerating the independent development of aero engines. It is estimated that in the next 20 years, the total demand for small and medium-sized aero engines will reach nearly 130,000 units, with a total value of more than 130 billion yuan.
It is reported that the AES100 engine will also complete a number of airworthiness tests, and plans to obtain the airworthiness certificate of China's civil aviation this year and enter the application stage.