Czech manufacturer PBS Group has unveiled the most powerful turbine powerplant in its portfolio to date: the 513-pound-thrust TJ200 jet engine. The introduction this week at the Paris Air Show follows a rigorous testing program and paves the way for initial applications, the company said.
Developed at its main production plant in Velká Biteš in the Czech Republic, the PBS TJ200 marks a “new technical concept” for the company that has a product line of motors with a tensile range of 0.4 to 1.5 kilonewtons (kN).
With a continuous thrust of 2.28 kN and a thrust of 2.7 kN for 30 seconds, the new engine brings a 50% increase in tension compared with PBS’s TJ150. This opens the door for a much wider range of possibilities for use in defense systems and commercial uncrewed aircraft where high performance is required. Applications include drones, guided missiles, and target practice.
The engine is equipped with a full authority digital engine control, or Fadec, as well as a brushless DC starter-generator. Its seawater-resistant design is fuel-lubricated for maximum operating efficiency.
“We are receiving preliminary orders from major manufacturers from different parts of the world,” said PBS Group CEO Petr Kádner. “The new engine is designed to meet current customer requirements, and we believe that the PBS TJ200 will soon become the flagship product of our portfolio.”
Also, PBS is working with Ukrainian company Ivchenko Progress to develop the AI-PBS-350 jet engine. Announced last year at the Farnborough International Airshow, the AI-PBS-350 will aim for applications in cruise missiles and larger unmanned aerial vehicles.