The Rostec State Corporation plans to create a shortened version of the MC-21 medium-range aircraft; work on the extended version of the aircraft is not being carried out. This was announced by the head of Rostec, Sergei Chemezov.
According to him, the 140-passenger version will increase the range of the aircraft. However, it will take at least two years to create the aircraft.
Chemezov noted that aircraft manufacturers have a good understanding of what path needs to be taken to achieve this.
The work will include improving systems and units, reducing their weight, as well as increasing the fuel efficiency of engines without compromising reliability and safety.
Chemezov recalled that over 80% of passenger traffic in Russia is transported over distances of no more than 3,000 km. This confirms the demand for the aircraft in its current configuration. The first serial MC-21s will appear as early as 2026, he concluded.
At the end of October, the second MC-21-310 prototype took to the skies in an import-substituted version, but without replacing five critical systems.
