Kolesov RD-36 explained

The Kolesov RD-36 was a supersonic turbojet engine used on various Soviet aircraft projects.

Design and development

Developed at OKB-36 (P. A. Kolesov) and produced at the Rybinsk Motor-Building Plant, the RD-36-51A engine was developed for the Tu-144D supersonic passenger aircraft. A simplified version with a fixed nozzle for the high-altitude Myasishchev M-17 was designated RD-36-51B. The engine developed a thrust of 7000kgf.The RD36-51A engine passed all state bench and flight tests in 1973–75 (with flight testing on the Tu-144D).

The engine's specifications were:^[1]

• Maximum thrust at take-off = 20000kgf
• Maximum thrust during supersonic cruise = 5000kgf altitude = 18000m (59,000feet), speed = 2350kph
• Maximum thrust during subsonic cruise= 3000kgf altitude = 11000m (36,000feet), speed = 1000kph
• Temperature = 1355K
• Diameter = 1486mm
• Length = 5976mm
• Mass = 3900kg (8,600lb)

For the high-altitude M-17 "Stratosphera" aircraft (NATO reporting name Mystic-A) a single-shaft TRD RD36-51B was created. This was a modified version of the RD36-51A engine with an unregulated nozzle and oxygen supply to the combustion chamber. The engine provided long-duration operation at an altitude of 26000m (85,000feet) at low flight speed (M = 0.6).

• P = 7000kgf
• With beats. vsl. = 0,88 kg / kgf • h.

RD-36-51A / B was produced in a small series (about 50 units).

Variants

RD-36-41:Created on the basis of the engine 'VD-19' .^[2] Thrust – 16150kgf

RD-36-51: This engine was a replacement for the Kuznetsov NK-144 turbofan used on the Tu-144D SST, giving an increase in full payload range from 3,080km to 5,330km. It is recognizable by the translating-plug variable-area nozzle.

RD-36-51A:The RD-36-51A produced 20000kgf thrust at take-off and had a cruise thrust-specific fuel consumption of 1.22 kg/(kgf. h).^[3] which gave the aircraft a maximum range of 6,500 km.

RD-36-51B:Non-afterburning turbojet for use in high-altitude reconnaissance/research aircraft, such as the Myasishchev M-17 Stratosphera.

Applications

• Tupolev Tu-148 (RD-36-41)
• Sukhoi T-4 (RD-36-41)
• Tupolev Tu-144D (RD-36-51A)
• Myasishchev M-17 Stratosphera (RD-36-51B)

Notes and References

1. Book: 978-0-7643-4894-5 . Tupolev Tu-144: The Soviet Supersonic Airliner . Gordon . E. . Gordon . Yefim . Komissarov . Dmitriy . Rigmant . Vladimir . 2015 . Schiffer Publishing, Limited .
2. "Aviation and Cosmonautics" No. 9–10 / 2001 // V. Rigmant "Long-range supersonic anti-aircraft fighters Tupolev interceptors "
3. Tupolev Tu-144, Gordon, Komissarov and Rigmant 2015,Schiffer Publishing Ltd.,, p.248