The civil aviation development program, which includes the production of passenger aircraft MC-21, SJ-100, has been disrupted due to the fact that aircraft manufacturers were unable to obtain certificates for import-substituted versions of aircraft within the stated timeframes.
Why Were the Release Dates Postponed?
Aircraft with Russian equipment do not meet the technical characteristics. For example, the MC-21-310 became 5.75 tons heavier. The problem is that it is based on a heavier airframe compared to the MC-21-300, which used foreign components. This happened due to the use of Russian composites and new systems.
As a result, when loaded with 20.3 tons, the aircraft can fly no more than 2.8 thousand km. At the same time, it can climb to a maximum height of 7 km. Without reducing the weight of the aircraft, it is impossible to increase its thrust, experts say.
The main problem of the import-substituted SJ-100 remains the Russian PD-8 engine, which did not confirm its characteristics during testing. In December 2023, aircraft manufacturers concluded that additional work was needed, the UEC said. The main task is to ensure reliable engine operation in all modes, as well as to guarantee safety.
No Own Planes - We Will Buy from Friends
Sources believe that the implementation of the authorities' plans for civil aviation is under great question due to the industry's focus on fulfilling the state defense order. It is possible that Russian carriers will have to update their fleets with aircraft from friendly countries.
According to plans approved in 2022, by 2030 the aviation industry was supposed to transfer 1036 aircraft for passenger transportation. Of these, 339 aircraft were reserved by Aeroflot. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, 16 SJ-100s and 12 MC-21s are currently at various stages of readiness.
What Could Hinder?
The authorities calculated the delivery times of aircraft based on the promises of suppliers of components and systems of the second and third levels. However, it later turned out that even suppliers of the first level do not have all the components contracted. And practice shows that no aircraft construction program is without failures.
Read on the topic:
It became known what budget is planned for civil aviation until 2030
Rostec explained the postponement of the release of MC-21 again
