MOSCOW, RUSSIA — Ilyushin Il-96, the first widebody airliner developed during the Soviet era, will be used as a testbed for the high-trust PD-35 engine of the Russian engine manufacturer Aviadvigatel.


Aviadvigatel's PD-35 is intended to power large transport aircraft.

Il-96 will be used as a “flying laboratory” for testing the performance of PD-35 engines, which will have a trust range of 235-490kN. The Russian quadjet is expected to conduct its first flight with the engine by the end of this year.

PD-35 is being considered as a potential powerplant for CRAIC C929 widebody jet that is being jointly developed by Russia and China.