On October 15th 2015, the Antonov Design Bureau based out of Kyiv signed an agreement with Pratt & Whittney Canada for the Canadian firm to provide engines for Antonov's new AN-132 transport aircraft.
The initial agreement is for the supply of two engines to power the first demonstration aircraft. The AN-132 project is a joint Ukrainian-Saudi Arabian initiative and is being implemented jointly by Antonov and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is expected that the new aircraft, which is an upgrade of the older AN-32, will have a nine-tonne payload capacity and will be configurable in passenger and cargo variations.
The selection of P&WC as the engine provider for the new airplane signals Antonov's continued move towards “westernizing” their aircraft, making them more appealing to markets other than the former Soviet Union. It is expected that there is a demand for about 200 AN-132-type aircraft between 2018 and 2025.
The engine selected by Antonov, the PW100, is the same engine family that powers the Bombardier Q400, and is in service with over 500 operators in 130 countries. It is a versatile and powerful engine that will provide Anontov with a stable powerplant to power its new aircraft.
Share on Social Media