Dubai Airshow 2025 – UEC unveils SM-100 turbofan engine

At the Russian pavilion at Dubai Airshow 2025, the United Engine Corporation (UEC) unveiled its new SM-100 bypass turbofan

 The SM-100 engine is designed for training and combat/training aircraft, light attack aircraft and can also be used on advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

As a UEC representative explained to EDR On-Line, the SM-100 is similar in size to the AI-222-25 engine used on the Yak-130 aircraft, but is lighter and delivers an increased thrust of 3,300 kgf. The engine design significantly increases service life while reducing thrust requirements, reducing operating costs. The SM-100 has an assigned service life of 3,000 hours, with a TBO (time between overhaul) of 1,500 hours. Its specific fuel consumption is 0.64 kg/kgf x h, bypass ratio being 0.95.

The SM-100 presented in Dubai will be installed on the upgraded Yak-130M aircraft and will also be used in re-engining the Yak-130 fleet once the AI-222-25 engines will reach their assigned service life. UEC told EDR On-Line that the Yak-130M aircraft on display in Dubai is currently equipped with AI-222-25 engines.

The development of the SM-100 turbofan demonstrates that Russian aircraft engine manufacturing is consistently implementing its import substitution programme. The AI-222-25 engine was developed in Ukraine by “Ivchenko-Progress” and manufactured at the “Motor Sich” plant. Both of these plants are located in Zaporozhia. In accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreement, licensed production of the AI-222-25 was also organized at the Moscow-based Salyut enterprise. This same enterprise will also produce SM-100 engines for Russian and international customers.

According to a UEC representative, the SM-100 could also be used as a basis for upgrading high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) UAVs, which are being developed in Russia.

Photos by N. Novichkov