Iran revives grounded planes with homegrown jet engine blades
(MENAFN) In a significant breakthrough, an Iranian knowledge-based company, operating under the Iran Power Plant Projects Management Company (MAPNA) Group, has attained the technical expertise to produce jet engine turbine blades. This achievement comes as a lifeline for 28 McDonnell Douglas passenger planes grounded due to international sanctions.
According to the CEO of the knowledge-based company, Mani Rezvani, the imposition of foreign sanctions had disrupted the supply of jet engine blades for domestic airlines, leading to the grounding of 28 out of 40 McDonnell Douglas passenger planes in Iran. Rezvani highlighted the exorbitant prices of imported blades as a major obstacle, prompting Iranian scientists to embark on a mission to develop a homegrown solution.
Through reverse engineering efforts, Iranian experts successfully manufactured a prototype of the JT8D engine blades, a crucial component of aircraft turbine sections. Rezvani expressed confidence that the domestically produced blades would soon receive approval from the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran.
The CEO announced plans to commence the installation of the first JT8D engine equipped with Iranian blades on a Boeing MD passenger plane by June 20. Following this milestone, mass production will ensue, with the intention to expand usage to other engines pending authorization from relevant authorities.
A notable advantage of the domestically produced jet engine blades is their cost-effectiveness, with manufacturing expenses estimated at approximately USD8,000 per unit, significantly lower than the USD22,000 price tag of imported counterparts.
Looking ahead, Rezvani unveiled ambitious plans for exporting Iranian jet engine blades to Russia and the Caucasus nations, signaling the potential for broader economic opportunities stemming from indigenous technological advancements.
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