Definition
The PowerJet SaM146 is a twin‑spool, low‑bypass turbofan engine developed by PowerJet, a joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines (formerly Snecma) of France and NPO Saturn of Russia. It is primarily employed to power the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) regional jet.
Overview
Development of the SaM146 began in the early 2000s to provide a modern, Western‑designed powerplant for the Russian‑designed SSJ100. The engine first ran in 2005, received certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Russian Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) in 2008, and entered service with the SSJ100 in 2011. Production is carried out at facilities in both France (Safran’s plant in Saint‑Nazaire) and Russia (NPO Saturn’s plant in Rybinsk), with final assembly and testing performed by PowerJet in Moscow.
The SaM146 powers the SSJ100 in a thrust class of roughly 14 000–16 500 lbf (62–73 kN), enabling a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.78 and a typical range of 2 500 km for a 70‑seat configuration. The engine is also offered for potential retrofit applications on other regional aircraft, though no other type has entered service as of the latest publicly available information.
Etymology / Origin
The designation “SaM146” reflects the collaborative nature of the program: “Sa” denotes Safran (the French partner) and “M” denotes Moscow (the Russian partner) or alternatively the “M” can be interpreted as representing Moscow’s NPO Saturn. The numeral “146” corresponds to the engine’s nominal thrust rating of approximately 14 600 lbf.
Characteristics
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Thrust (dry) | 14 000 lbf (62 kN) – 16 500 lbf (73 kN) |
| Bypass ratio | ≈ 2.2 : 1 |
| Overall pressure ratio | ≈ 28 : 1 |
| Overall pressure ratio (LP) | ≈ 4.5 : 1 |
| Specific fuel consumption (SFC) | ≈ 0.53 lb/(lbf·h) (dry) |
| Engine length | ≈ 2 150 mm |
| Engine diameter | ≈ 1 250 mm |
| Dry weight | ≈ 680 kg |
| Control system | Full‑authority digital engine control (FADEC) |
| Materials | Use of advanced nickel‑based superalloys in hot‑section components; composite fan case in later blocks |
Key design features include a 3‑stage low‑pressure compressor, a 6‑stage high‑pressure compressor, a single‑stage annular combustor, a 2‑stage high‑pressure turbine, and a 2‑stage low‑pressure turbine driving a 24‑blade single‑stage fan. The FADEC provides automatic engine start, optimum performance management, and fault‑tolerant operation.
Related Topics
- Sukhoi Superjet 100 – The regional jet aircraft for which the SaM146 was specifically designed.
- Turbofan engine – General class of jet engines that produce thrust by accelerating a large mass of air through a bypass stream.
- Safran Aircraft Engines – French aerospace manufacturer, partner in the PowerJet joint venture.
- NPO Saturn – Russian aero‑engine manufacturer, partner in the PowerJet joint venture.
- PowerJet – Joint venture entity responsible for the development, production, and support of the SaM146 engine.
All information presented reflects data available from publicly released technical specifications, certification documents, and manufacturer communications up to the knowledge cutoff of 2024.