In the near future, Russians will be able to fly on completely domestic aircraft. What models are we talking about, how safe and comfortable are they, and how are they better than Western competitors? Read about it in the article by "Perviy Tehnicheskiy".
How MC-21 is favorably different from competitors
The fully import-substituted MC-21 aircraft with Russian systems should take to the skies in August 2025, according to the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov.
MC-21 is a narrow-body medium-range aircraft. It is produced by the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. The new vessel is capable of accommodating up to 211 passengers, with a maximum flight range of 5,100 kilometers.
The airliner meets all the requirements of the time. The proportion of composites in the MC-21 construction exceeds 30%, the aircraft will receive PD-14 engines with a digital control system and reduced fuel consumption.
MC-21 is famous for the maximum aisle width in its class between the seats and the cabin. Products made of composite materials can be compared to steel, but their weight is about three times less.
Who is ready to buy MC-21
It was assumed that the liners would be operated by «Аэрофлот». The Belarusian «Белавиа» and the Far Eastern «Аврора» were also among those wishing to purchase the aircraft. Also, preliminary and firm contracts were concluded by the Russian «Ангара» (like «ИрАэро», it is based in Irkutsk), «АЛРОСА», «Якутия», Red Wings and Nordwind.
«Суперджет» SJ-100, but completely domestic
Another novelty is the SJ-100, a version of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 with maximum import substitution of components. The project was initiated after the introduction of Western sanctions against Russia.
As part of the import substitution work, the machine was equipped with Russian engines, an auxiliary power unit, avionics, landing gear, control systems, air conditioning, power supply, fire protection and others. The aircraft also received a new fuselage, which has been modified to simplify the production and maintenance of the aircraft.
To speed up the certification process, three aircraft are participating in flight tests. In 2024, testing of the first prototype aircraft equipped with Russian-made units and systems and Franco-Russian SaM146 engines began.
In March 2025, the second aircraft with partially imported systems and domestic PD-8 engines joined the flight test program. Now the third, fully Russian aircraft with factory number 97 003, has joined the flight program.
Instead of the An-2 " кукурузник " – LMS-901 "Baikal"
Another novelty is the light multipurpose aircraft "Baikal". At the end of next year, the first five samples will be sent to the airline "Аврора", noted the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov.
The nine-seat "Baikal" is being developed for regional airlines, the aircraft is designed to replace the Soviet An-2 кукурузник. The first flight of the aircraft took place on January 30, 2022. The aircraft took off from the Yekaterinburg airfield and spent about 25 minutes in the air at an altitude of 500 meters.
The take-off and landing characteristics of the "Baikal" turned out to be 30–40% better than expected. For example, it was believed that the machine required 150 meters of take-off run for take-off, but during the test, the "Baikal" took off from the ground after a take-off run of 87 meters.
Earlier www1.ru reported that ODK will sharply increase the production of aircraft engines.
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