Flew on state support

“The flight mission has been completed in full. The aircraft’s systems were operating normally, “Hero of Russia, test pilot Roman Taskaev said today after the flight of the MC-21-300 aircraft.

On Saturday, the airliner took off from the airfield of the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a branch of the Irkut company of the United Aircraft Corporation. The aircraft was piloted by a crew consisting of Taskaev and test pilot, Hero of Russia Oleg Kononenko. The flight took place as usual.

“The share of composites in the MS-21 design is about 40%, which is a record figure for medium-haul aircraft. The use of durable and lightweight composite materials with unique aerodynamic characteristics unattainable for a metal wing. Improved aerodynamics have made it possible to increase the width of the MC-21 fuselage and expand the cabin, which brings new advantages in terms of passenger comfort. This is the first medium-haul aircraft in the world where such solutions have been applied, “said the head of Rostec, Sergei Chemezov.

The MC-21 program made it possible to make a big step in the development of cooperation between Russian factories, the General Director of the United Aircraft Building Corporation Yuri Slyusar is sure. Thus, Aviastar manufactures fuselage panels and tail assembly for a new airliner, Voronezh VASO – engine pylons and landing gear fairings. “AeroComposite-Ulyanovsk” produces the wing box, “KAPO-Composite” provides wing mechanization.

“The first flight of an aircraft with a wing made of Russian composites proves that we did everything right, the MC-21 program is consistently and steadily moving forward, despite sanctions and unfair competition. This is the result of the development of the competencies of the aviation industry, related areas and unprecedented government support. The total amount of funds allocated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia for the creation of domestic materials for the composite wing amounted to 4.4 billion rubles, “the press service of Rostec quotes the words of the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov.

Under the yoke of sanctions

MS-21-300 / 310 is a new generation medium-range aircraft with a capacity of 163 to 211 passengers. It is focused on the most massive segment of the passenger transportation market in Russia and the world. The UAC expects that the new airliner will compete with Airbus 320 and Boeing 737.

“We are well aware that the cost should be comparable to the price of competitors. – Slyusar said in an October interview to Vedomosti, assuring that the catalog value of the MS-21 in the amount of $ 97 is comparable to the Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 families.

In September 2018, the US Department of Commerce imposes sanctions on 12 Russian companies. Russian enterprises included in the list have closed legal access to American dual-use goods and technologies. In fact, this meant a ban on the supply of any software product of American origin.

The Russian Aerocomposite (part of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of Rostec) also fell under the restrictions. It is this company that develops and manufactures parts and assemblies for MS-21 made of polymer composite materials.

Initially, materials from the American company Hexcel and the Japanese company Toray Industries were used for the wing of the liner. But after the imposition of sanctions, I had to create my own details.

Domestic materials for power composite structures were developed with the participation of scientists from Moscow State University and Rosatom, aviation industry specialists. Qualification tests of materials showed their compliance with the requirements for the design of the MC-21 aircraft. During the production of the wing, the technology of vacuum infusion is patented in Russia.

At present, certification of the MC-21-300 aircraft is nearing completion, and it is planned to start delivering it to the airline in 2022. At the same time, flight tests of the MC-21-310 aircraft with the new Russian PD-14 engine are underway.

To date, a composite wing has been manufactured for two aircraft, and a third set is being created. In addition to the three aircraft in the final assembly shop, three more MC-21-300 are at different stages of production. All of them will also receive a wing made of Russian composites.