Ivchenko AI-24

Ivchenko design bureau

Industry	Aerospace engineering
Founded	1950s
Headquarters	Zaporizhzhia , Ukraine
Products	Aircraft engines (including AI-24 turboprop)
Parent	Motor Sich (manufacturer)

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The Ivchenko AI-24 (Russian: Ивченко АИ-24) is a turboprop aircraft engine conceived and engineered during the late 1950s by the Ivchenko design bureau, with subsequent production by Motor Sich. It was intended to provide propulsion for the widely used Antonov aircraft models An-24, An-26, and An-30.

Design and development

Drawing on insights from the development of the AI-20 turboprop and employing advanced simulation techniques, a smaller-scale turboprop engine—the AI-24—was created in 1958, delivering approximately 2,550 hp (1,900 kW). Its primary role was to power the Antonov An-24 passenger plane.Template:Fix/category Following Soviet practice, the design phase was distinct from mass production, which commenced in 1960. Manufacturing of this engine and many other bureau designs took place at Motor Sich, located in Zaporozhye, Ukraine.

Efforts were made to develop a turboshaft version; notably, in 1960, eleven pre-production AI-24V turboshaft units, rated at 2000 hp, were produced to equip the initial two prototypes of the V-8 (Mi-8) helicopter. However, as the TV2-117 engine was ultimately chosen for the Mi-8, development of the AI-24V was discontinued.

The AI-24A variant generated 1,900 kW (2,550 shp).

An enhanced series followed in 1966.

Each engine nacelle incorporated a fire suppression system capable of automatic activation. The AI-24 engines exhibited broad gas dynamic stability across all power settings, flight altitudes, and speeds. Their standout characteristic was operational dependability. Key strengths included a straightforward design, high reliability, extended service intervals, and ease of maintenance.</ref>

The subsequent AI-24T model featured water injection to boost power output and introduced automatic controls for limiting power overloads and exhaust gas temperatures. It also integrated vibration monitoring systems alongside automatic shutdown and propeller feathering functions.

Operational use

The An-24 was the initial aircraft to be equipped with two Ivchenko AI-24 turboprop engines. These engines powered four-bladed AV-72T constant-speed reversible propellers. Early models featured AI-24 engines delivering 1,790 kW (2,400 shp) for takeoff, while subsequent production versions incorporated the upgraded AI-24A engines.

Subsequently, the AI-24 engine was also installed on the An-26 and An-30 transport aircraft.

Both the USSR and China produced the AI-24A in substantial quantities. The widespread adoption and success of the Antonov An-24 family contributed to making the AI-24 turboprop one of the Soviet Union’s most extensively utilized engines globally. SE Ivchenko Progress reports that a total of 2,735 aircraft and 11,750 units of various AI-24 engine modifications were manufactured before production ceased.

Variants

AI-24

This is the original production model with a maximum takeoff power output of 1,790 kW (2,400 shp).

AI-24A

An improved version designed to sustain performance in hot-and-high environments, offering a maximum takeoff power of 1,875 kW (2,515 ehp).

AI-24T

A higher-powered variant generating 2,103 kW (2,820 ehp) at takeoff to support increased payload capacities.

AI-24VT

An enhanced model producing 2,100 kW (2,820 shp), distinguished by its integration with an RU19A-300 APU/booster instead of the standard TG-16M auxiliary power unit turbine. This version is primarily utilized on the An-26.

External links

• Official website of Motor Sich
• Ivchenko AI-24TW featured at the Polish Aviation Museum