65 years ago, in the USSR, mass production of the TV-12 (NK-12) aircraft engine began, which later became the most powerful turboprop power plant in the world. This unit was intended to equip the strategic bomber Tu-95 "Bear". Thanks to the domestic engine, this machine still retains the status of the fastest turboprop aircraft in the world.

"Brought to mind"

The creation of a heavy-duty turboprop engine (TWD) was launched in the Soviet Union in 1946 with the involvement of German scientists who had previously achieved great success in the development of various aircraft units. For this purpose, two design bureaus (OKB) appeared near Kuibyshev (Samara), and trophy equipment was delivered from Germany.

The theater was intended for a promising bomber capable of intercontinental flights. Since 1949, its development was carried out by the design bureau of Andrei Nikolaevich Tupolev. The country's leadership insisted on the need for the speedy construction of a jet combat aircraft, but the famous Soviet designer defended the concept of a turboprop aircraft.

According to Tupolev, the creation of a strategic jet bomber could not do without significant material and time costs. In particular, to achieve this goal at that time there was no engine suitable for fuel consumption. In this regard, Tupolev supported the development work on the theater, which was headed by the famous Soviet scientist Nikolai Dmitrievich Kuznetsov.

“The main advantage of a turboprop engine is its efficiency. After the war, the USSR did not have such a well-developed engine-building school that practically from scratch and in the shortest possible time to create advanced models, especially reactive ones. In such a situation, a reasonable decision was made - to bet on a relatively simpler theater and affordable technological solutions, ”Dmitry Dyakonov, chief designer of KB-602 of the Moscow Aviation Institute, explained in an interview with RT.

In 1949, under the Kuibyshev test began the first experimental turboprop engine TV-022 (the second name - TV-2). The power plant was a direct analogue of the world's first serial JUMO-022 gas turbine unit from Junkers Motorenbau.

TV-2 corresponded to the general tactical and technical requirements for a strategic aviation aircraft. However, the Kuznetsov group was tasked with creating a power plant with a capacity of at least 12 thousand liters. from. The new unit received the designation TV-12, and went into serial production under the index NK-12 (on the initials of Nikolai Kuznetsov). Design and development work on a super-powerful Soviet engine was completed in an extremely short time, notes Dyakonov.

“After the war, all the victorious powers actively borrowed the achievements of German science. Naturally, the USSR was no exception. I must say frankly: the Germans have achieved impressive success in the aircraft engine industry. However, domestic scientists have made many significant changes to the theater design and brought this engine to mind, as they say, ”Dyakonov emphasized.

  • Tu-95 bomber in flight
  • © PJSC Tupolev

The Honored Pilot of the Russian Federation Major General Vladimir Popov adheres to a similar point of view. In a RT commentary, he stated that the “design genius of Nikolai Kuznetsov” played a key role in the creation of the TV-12. According to him, a Soviet scientist was able to adapt a turboprop power plant for mass production.

“Kuznetsov quite successfully solved many difficult questions. In those years, it was necessary not only to create an engine for a strategic bomber, it was necessary to put it on the conveyor without losing quality characteristics. For this purpose, he found the necessary materials and technologies. Therefore, it is wrong to call the NK-12 "German." This is a Soviet product, significantly superior in terms of characteristics to JUMO-022, ”Popov emphasized.

Nikolai Kuznetsov himself spoke very modestly about his contribution to the development of the NK-12 and other power plants, indicating that teamwork plays a decisive role in creating engines. According to him, "no general designer will ever personally do anything if he does not rely on the team."

The second life of NK-12

The low specific fuel consumption allowed the Tu-95 to overcome up to 15 thousand km without landing and refueling. The strategic bomber received four turboprop engines. The combat load of the aircraft was 12 tons. The Bear concept was so successful that it is still in service and performs regular flights over the Norwegian Sea and off the coast of Alaska.

Currently, Tupolev PJSC is conducting the next modernization of the Tu-95. As Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on December 24, in 2020 the Russian Aerospace Forces will receive six updated Bears. The aircraft will be equipped with modern navigation and radio systems, as well as electronic warfare systems.

Together with the Tu-95, domestic engineers repeatedly improved the NK-12. The modernization involved the replacement of materials and control equipment. As a result, the power plant's take-off mode increased to 15 thousand liters. from. At the same time, the engine retained the main advantages laid down by Kuznetsov - reliability, efficiency, unpretentiousness in operation.

In the Soviet period, the NK-12 modifications, in addition to the Tu-95, were installed on a Tu-126 long-range radar detection aircraft, Tu-142 anti-submarine aircraft, Tu-114 long-range passenger airliner, An-22 Antey heavy transport aircraft and airborne assault ekranoplan A-90 "Eaglet".

In the 1970s, on the basis of the NK-12, domestic engineers developed a turboshaft gas pumping unit (NK-12ST), which generated the necessary power (6300 kW) and rotor speed (8,200 rpm). Improved versions of this industrial engine continue to be used by Russian mining companies.

Experts interviewed by RT are convinced that the appearance of the NK-12 made a huge contribution to the development of the domestic engine-building industry and aviation. In their opinion, the Russian Federation will benefit from the benefits of Soviet scientists for decades.

As explained by RT Dmitry Dyakonov, powerful turboprop engines will be improved both in Russia and abroad. In particular, the designers will change the geometry of the blades and produce new materials for their production. Today, theater is in demand in transport and regional aviation.

“It is appropriate to recall that after modernization, the Tu-95 bomber will receive a new life. Despite the venerable age, this machine is capable of fulfilling the modern strategic deterrence tasks set by the command. It is very likely that the domestic aircraft, like the American B-52, will mark the centenary of military service, ”said Dyakonov.

  • Transport aircraft An-22
  • RIA News
  • © Alexander Wilf

Vladimir Popov also believes that we should not expect a fast end to the era of turboprop assemblies. As the analyst predicts, in modern conditions they have no equal in terms of fuel economy. Moreover, the modernization potential of the current theater, including the NK-12, has not been exhausted.

“A conventional drawback of turboprop engines compared to jet models is subsonic cruising speed. Also, they can only work in dense layers of the atmosphere. However, writing them off to scrap is not practical. They are still competitive and widely used in different countries of the world. The preservation of the Tu-95 as part of the VKS is an additional confirmation of this, ”Popov concluded.