Austin wrote:The state bench tests of the AL-41F-1 engine have been completed
As reported in the press release of United Engine-Building Corporation JSC , the final meeting of the State Commission for the turbojet engine AL-41F-1 concluded with the solemn presentation of the PJSC "UDK-UMPO" (part of the United Engine Corporation of Rostekh) to complete the state bench tests an experienced engine. The ceremony was held in the Moscow branch of the enterprise - the Experimental Design Bureau. A. Lyulka.
The engine AL-41F-1 in the territory of PJSC "UDK-UMPO", January 2018 (c) bmpd
Chairman of the State Commission Colonel VA. Bruskov handed over to the general designer-director of the OKB im. A. Lyulki E.Yu. Marchukov the document testifying to the end of the most important stage in the development of AL-41F-1.
Thus, 14-year experimental design work is completed. The AL-41F-1 performs the function of the first stage engine for the fifth-generation fighter Su-57 (PAK FA). The first test flight of PAK FA with AL-41F-1 took place on January 29, 2010.
Seems me that even the F135 engine is still performing Bench test, so nothing extraordinary there.
Bench test serves also for certify the engine expected service life, in order to ascertain maintenance and overhaul costs and to offer it in the export market also.
Obviously, in this case you just cannot speed up development phase building more prototypes or adopting a tighter schedule than the one it would have during their own expected service life, so it takes time.
Maybe only critic someone could possibly do is whyto perform it until the end now that is about 100% certain there would not be a serial production of this engine.
Well, almost for (russian and indian) Su-57.