UAC Turned MC-21 into Tu-154: Now Inferior Even to Old Airbus A320ceo and Boeing B737NG

The United Aircraft Corporation (part of the Rostec Group) has updated the official characteristics of the MC-21-310 aircraft. According to new data, the estimated range has decreased from 5,100 to 3,830 km.

Now the Russian aircraft is noticeably inferior in this regard even to the previous generation Airbus and Boeing aircraft — A320ceo and B737NG. What does this mean and why is it critical for the aviation industry — explains «Первый технический».

New Data — A Real Machine Instead of a Project

The UAC website states that the maximum take-off weight of the MC-21-310 remains the same — 85 tons, but the range in a two-class configuration has been reduced to 3,830 km. Rostec explained that this is not about "reducing capabilities", but rather about clarifying calculations.

The technical assignment of the Ministry of Industry and Trade back in 2009 indicated a range of 3,500 km with 180 passengers. The state corporation recalled that any aircraft evolves in the process of refinement and testing.

Why the Range Has Decreased

According to sources, the aircraft became almost 6 tons heavier in the process of import substitution. This ultimately led to a revision of the characteristics and an increase in the maximum take-off weight. But at the same time, the adjustment opens up the potential for future development of the design — with the optimization of units and aerodynamics, an increase in range is possible.

Domestic Flights Are a Priority

Even with a new range of 3,830 km, the MC-21 is capable of flying Moscow — Novosibirsk without refueling. According to UAC estimates, this range covers up to 80% of Russian passenger traffic, which falls on routes up to 3,000 km.

The situation with the adjustment of the previously declared advertising characteristics of the MC-21 will raise questions from airlines, said aviation expert, executive director of the AviaPort agency Oleg Panteleev. In practice, this may mean that the aircraft is not suitable for all operators.

A similar situation was with Soviet aircraft, for example, with the Tu-154. Work on optimizing the design and aerodynamics of the MC-21, on the power plant, units and systems will continue, and therefore we can expect a gradual improvement in the characteristics of the aircraft during the current decade.

Oleg Panteleev, aviation expert

The Aircraft Will Not Fly to Dubai from Moscow, But…

However, not everything is so bad. Yes, the MC-21 will not be able to be used on a number of routes. For example, from Moscow it will fly at best to Krasnoyarsk, but not to Irkutsk or Ulan-Ude.

There is also no chance from the regions to Southeast Asia. Dubai from Moscow is also unlikely. However, the technical assignment for the MC-21, as Rostec claims, spoke of 3,500 km.

Let's remember that the same Tu-154, which became the main "workhorse" of the narrow-body fleet of Russian airlines until the mid-2000s, had enough range for most destinations. Indeed, now 95% of flights of Russian airlines operating on narrow-body aircraft have a length of up to 4,000 km, and 80% – up to 3,000 km.

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