The new Russian-Belarusian "Osvey" aircraft, which is only being designed, has already been virtually sold out: a large number of aircraft from the first batch have already been allocated to airlines.
However, three years remain until mass production: it is scheduled to begin only by 2027. This was stated in an interview with Belarusian STV by Andrey Tuchin, chief engineer of the 558th Aviation Repair Plant. He noted that "exactly which company will buy how many aircraft is already written on paper." To recoup production, "from 180 to 200 aircraft" will be needed, and it seems that the project will succeed: there is huge demand for them.
The price of one aircraft has not yet been announced. Tuchin says that the aviation industry of both states involved in the project has "the task of not being tied to any specific price, but of obtaining a competitive product in terms of price." However, according to the aircraft designer, analogues of the "Osvey" cost buyers in the range of 5.5 to 8 million dollars.
The 558th Aircraft Repair Plant is already preparing for production from a technical point of view.
A design bureau has been created, which is already undergoing training and specializes specifically in the production of aircraft. We are implementing an investment project to purchase machine-building equipment, machine tools, in order to increase the number of parts produced many times over. We definitely need to expand. And we consider this workshop to be small. The new one that we will build is almost three times larger than this one.
The equipment will be useful not only for producing the allied aircraft, but also for the overall development of the Belarusian aviation industry.
The main developer of the aircraft will be the Ural Civil Aviation Plant, and we are working as a co-executor, in terms of developing prototypes and certifications. But in terms of mass production, we will already be, one might say, the main manufacturer of the civilian version of this aircraft. The first task — is to participate in the development of a prototype aircraft. The second task — is to prepare for mass production of these aircraft. And the third task, which is being solved along the way, — is the production of aircraft parts and components for other aircraft that are produced in Russia and for which there is demand.
Preparation for mass production will be completed by 2027, and the first prototypes will be ready by the same time. Tuchin says that by September of this year, UZGA will finish forming the technical appearance of the aircraft. Then the aircraft designers will receive the first tasks for developing individual parts and creating drawings.
Aircraft LMS-192 "Osvey"
Light, economical, multi-purpose 19-seat turboprop aircraft with a high wing configuration. Its project is being developed within the framework of the Comprehensive Interdepartmental Program of Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus in the field of aircraft construction.
The Yekaterinburg JSC "Ural Civil Aviation Plant" and JSC "558 Aviation Repair Plant" from Baranovichi are involved in the development. It is planned to install a VK-800 turboprop engine as the power plant of the aircraft, and the onboard equipment will be from JSC "Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies".
"Osvey" is intended for state aviation. But it can also be used in civil aviation, including for commercial air transportation on local and regional air lines. Therefore, reliability and safety in operation are incorporated into it when transporting goods and passengers, even in extreme climatic conditions.
This is stated in the technical specification. The key phrase is a multi-purpose aircraft. For parachuting, for dropping paratroopers, for ambulance services, for the Ministry of Emergency Situations, for cargo transportation. It should also have the ability to be converted to float landing gear. That is, it will land on water. A lot of features are incorporated. A universal aircraft. And moreover, its cabin should be transformed quickly enough.
In mid-May, the Russian government, by its order, made changes to the comprehensive program for the development of the aviation industry until 2030. The delivery times of air transport for some parameters have shifted, however, orders for the LMS-192 "Osvey" and the timing of its acquisition remain unchanged. This is 158 aircraft by 2030.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus, Petr Parkhomchik, to date "there is a firm order from the Russian Federation to produce 50% of 180 aircraft in the near future."
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