On Wednesday, June 8, the Irkut Corporation will present the first MS-21-300 aircraft at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. It is noted that the airliner is intended for flight testing.
“The construction of the first aircraft is an important stage of the MS-21 program. We are waiting for a delegation of our partners, current and potential customers, representatives of federal and regional authorities at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant,” said President of the company Oleg Demchenko.
AiF.ru talks about what the MS-21-300 aircraft is.
The short-medium-haul jet aircraft MS-21 is designed to transport passengers, baggage and cargo on domestic and international routes. It is the second large-scale Russian project in the field after Sukhoi Superjet 100. civil aviation, which was created without a Soviet foundation. Unlike the Superjet, which is designed for a niche regional aircraft(flight range - 3 thousand km), MS-21 will fly over distances of about 6 thousand km.
For the first time in the domestic aircraft industry, composite materials are widely used in the design of the airliner - about 40%. The use of carbon fiber reinforced plastics made it possible to increase the wing span and lighten the tail section. This solution allowed all the latest innovations in the field of civil aviation to be fully integrated into the aircraft. The competitive advantages of the aircraft are:
- reduced operating costs;
- increased comfort for passengers;
- good environmental safety indicators.
MS-21 will be produced in three versions: MS-21-200 (150 seats), MS-21-300 (180 seats) and MS-21-400 (212 seats). On international market it will compete with the European Airbus A321neo and the American Boeing 737 MAX 9.
Customers
The first MC-21s will begin to roll off the production line en masse in 2017, and by 2020 Irkut plans to reach a production level of 40 aircraft per year. On at the moment 285 MS-21 aircraft were ordered from the company. Aeroflot became the main customer; the air carrier will receive its first aircraft at the end of 2018.
Airlines from Indonesia are also showing interest in the aircraft, as Irkut reports. Saudi Arabia, Tanzania and Iran. However, on the international market there is so far only a preliminary agreement for the supply of 10 aircraft (4 of them are optional) to the Egyptian Cairo Aviation.
The cost of one MS-21 airliner, depending on the configuration, ranges from $72-85 million.
Flight characteristics of MS-21-300:
- Aircraft length: 42.3 m
- Wingspan: 35.9 m
- Aircraft height: 11.5 m
- Cabin width: 3.81 m
- Fuselage width: 4.06 m
- Maximum take-off weight: 79,250 kg
- Maximum landing weight: 69,100 kg
- Maximum fuel capacity: 20,400 kg
- Maximum flight range in two-class configuration: 5900 km
MS-21
Developer Irkut Corporation
OKB im. Yakovleva
First flight 2017
Units produced (2017) 1 (4 experimental ones in assembly)
Unit cost (2017) $72 million. (MS-21-200)
$91 million (MS-21-300)
MS-21 (Magic Aircraft of the 21st Century) is a Russian medium-haul airliner developed by Irkut Corporation and the Design Bureau named after. Yakovleva. The aircraft was rolled out in 2016. Flight tests are planned to begin in the spring of 2017. Being a medium-range aircraft, the MC-21 is a direct competitor to the Boeing 737MAX, Airbus A320NEO and Comac C919.
The history of the MS-21 project began in the 2000s. At that time, the main project of the UAC and the entire Russian aircraft industry was the SSJ 100 - the future Superjet. It was decided to start the work with it, since the creation of a fairly large airliner at once, entering into direct competition with the two most popular aircraft, Boeing and Airbus, was considered too risky. In 2008, the first prototype of the SSJ 100 made a test flight. The implementation of the program has reached the final stages before entering the market.
In parallel with the testing of the SSJ 100, early work was initiated on the creation of a new, larger and more ambitious project - the MS-21. The development of the aircraft was carried out by the design bureaus of Yakovlev and Ilyushin. The direct executor of the program was the Irkut Corporation, which produces Su-30 fighter jets and Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft. Irkut also produces a number of components for Airbus A320 aircraft. In 2008, the Ilyushin Design Bureau left the project and development was continued in full at the Yakovlev Design Bureau.
Initially, the plans were very ambitious. In 2009, it was assumed that the MS-21 would take off in 2013, and by 2016 the aircraft would begin to be delivered to customers. However, design problems, as well as difficulties with financing, disrupted the original plans. The aircraft itself became more advanced and complex.
By 2011, it was decided to give higher priority to the creation of an enlarged version of the MS-21-300 airliner (180 seats) instead of the basic MS-21-200 (150 seats). Research and airline surveys have shown that the larger version will be in great demand (70% of requests were for the -300 model). It was decided to postpone the creation of the 200-seat MS-21-400, since its creation would significantly increase the program budget.
It is assumed that the MS-21 will be 10-15% more efficient than its analogues, will have a 15% lighter structure and 20% lower operating costs.
In 2012, Irkut and Pratt & Whitney entered into a cooperation agreement. One of the basic power plants of the aircraft will be the PW1400G engine. The second basic power plant will be the promising PD-14 engine, created at UEC (the main developer is Aviadvigatel).
In 2014, the reconstruction of production sites for a new airliner was completed at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. The assembly of the first prototypes has begun.
On June 8, 2016, a ceremonial presentation took place - the rollout of the first prototype MC-21-300 at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. The first flight is planned for May 2017.
Description of the aircraft
MS-21 is a narrow-body, medium-haul airliner. Structurally, it is a classic airliner with a low-sweep wing and two outboard engines.
Design
MS-21 has one of the most advanced airframe designs in the world at the moment. In terms of the volume of composite materials used (about 40%), it is on a par with the Bombardier C-series (about 40%) and is second only to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner (50%) and the Airbus A350 XWB (53%).
The main advantage and the first such experience in Russia is the “black wing”, created from carbon composite materials. Thanks to this new technology it was possible to reduce the mass of the wing and, while maintaining the strength characteristics, increase its aerodynamic quality. In the near future, the MC-21 will be the only airliner in its class with a black wing. Also, the tail unit and some other structural elements are made of composite materials. The aircraft wing is designed and manufactured by the Aerocomposite concern. ONPP Technology (Russian Technologies) also participates in the creation of composite elements.
The fuselage is developed and produced directly by the Irkut Corporation and the Yakovlev Design Bureau. The fuselage is made primarily of aluminum alloys.
The aircraft's landing gear is classic, three-post. The main landing gear consists of two struts and is equipped with two-wheeled trolleys. The promising modification MS-21-400 is heavier and, presumably, may have four-wheeled bogies. The chassis for the MS-21 is developed and manufactured by the Gidromash concern. Materials are mainly steel and titanium alloys.
Power point
MS-21 is equipped with two jet engines different thrust depending on the modification.
It is planned to use two main power plants.
Dual-circuit turbofan engines of the Pratt & Whitney PW1400G family. The engines are among the most advanced at the moment and, in addition to the MC-21, are used on Airbus A320NEO, Mitsubishi MRJ, Embraer E-Jet E2, Bombardier C-series. Different versions of the engines will be supplied for different versions of the MS-21: PW1428G with a thrust of 12,230 tf for the MS-21-200 and PW1431G with a thrust of 14,270 tf for the MS-21-300. The first prototype MS-21-300 is equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines.
Double-circuit tube fan engines of the PD-14 family. Developed by the Aviadvigatel concern (part of the UEC). The engine is a completely new powerplant and is expected to compete with similar powerplants. For 2017, the engine is undergoing a series of tests and certification. Serial production is planned to begin in 2018. Different versions of engines will be supplied for different versions of the airliners: PD-14A with a thrust of 12,540 tf for the MS-21-200 and PD-14 with a thrust of 14,000 tf for the MS-21-300.
MS-21-12
Cockpit
The MS-21 cockpit is made of glass. Composed of five wide-format multifunctional displays (wide-format displays have not previously been used in Russian civil aviation). To minimize work with paper documents, pilots also have electronic tablets.
Control is carried out using side control handles - sidesticks. Optionally, the cabin can be equipped with additional interfaces:
head-up displays (HUDs) - transparent panels in front of the pilot’s face that display the necessary flight data;
synthetic vision, which forms on monitors a virtual image of the space surrounding the aircraft in the event of loss of visual visibility (time of day, weather conditions and so on).
The cockpit, as well as most The aircraft's avionics were developed by the Concern of Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRET) together with Rockwell Collins.
Passenger cabin
The MS-21 passenger cabin continues the UAC ideology of increasing passenger comfort by expanding the cabin and the passage between the seats. The cabin has a width of 3.81 meters, which makes it the widest in the class of narrow-body medium-haul airliners (SSJ 100, in turn, also has the widest cabin in the segment of regional airliners).
Cabin layouts support two basic classes:
Business class (C): 4 seats in a row with a pitch of 36″
Economy class (Y): 6 seats in a row with a pitch of 32″
Condensed economy class: 6 seats in a row with a pitch of 28-29″
Salons can be two-class or one-class.
Thanks to the expansion of the cabin, it was possible to widen the passage between the seats, which makes it easier and faster for passengers to seat themselves on the plane. In addition, this will allow passengers to move freely even in the presence of cabin carts (previously, carts occupied the entire width of the aisle, blocking the road).
The enlarged cabin also made it possible to install more spacious luggage racks.
The passenger compartment is equipped the latest systems and equipment that improves the microclimate in the cabin. Thanks to this, it was possible to reduce noise in flight, increase atmospheric pressure and improve temperature control.
The development of passenger cabin systems is carried out by NPO Nauka together with the Hamilton Sundstrand concern (USA). The interior was created by C&D Zodiac (France).
Modifications
MS-21-200 is the younger version of the aircraft. Accommodates up to 165 passengers in a single-class configuration. With a take-off weight of up to 72.5 tons, it is equipped with derated PD-14A or PW1428G engines. Due to the fact that the model is in less demand, a second one will be created after the -300 model.
MS-21-300 - basic and larger version. The fuselage has been lengthened by 8.5 meters compared to the MC-21-200. Capacity reaches 211 passengers in a single-class configuration. With a take-off weight of up to 79.2 tons, it is equipped with PD-14 or PW1431G engines. MC-21-300 is in great demand and will be the first to hit the market. The first prototype is a modification of MS-21-300.
MS-21-400 - an enlarged version of the -300 model. It has a number of design changes, an enlarged wing and a four-post chassis. Accommodates up to 230 passengers. With a take-off weight of 87.2 tons, it is equipped with a forced PD-14M engine with a thrust of up to 15.6 tf. Significant design changes compared to other aircraft in the family increase the program budget and risks. In this regard, the creation of MS-21-400 has been postponed.
In the future, options are being considered to create larger aircraft of the family, as well as modifications with an increased range. However, there are no specific plans for further expansion of the family for 2017.
Orders and deliveries
As of 2017, Irkut Corporation has orders for about 170-180 aircraft with options for more than a hundred aircraft. The largest customers are Ilyushin Finance (63 aircraft + 22 options) and Aeroflot (50 aircraft + 35 options). Foreign customers: Azerbaijani AZAL and Egyptian Cairo Aviation.
Serial production is planned to begin in 2018. Within a few years, production will be brought to the target - 70 aircraft per year.
Irkut Corporation plans to produce and deliver about a thousand aircraft within 20 years.
Competition
MC-21 is a medium-haul airliner. This niche is almost completely occupied by Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 airliners. The new Chinese aircraft Comac C919 is also vying for it. The market for medium-haul aircraft is the largest in the world - about 78% of all commercial aircraft with a capacity of more than 100 seats are such aircraft. In addition, over 30 thousand aircraft of these types will be sold within 20 years.
In terms of power characteristics and efficiency of power plants, the MS-21 is similar to its competitors (often the engines are the same or very close). In terms of aerodynamic quality and design, the aircraft is the most advanced aircraft in the world at the moment. Presumably, this allows it to be 12-15% superior to the previous generation A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft and 6-7% superior to the A320NEO and Boeing 737MAX generation.
However, list price is only one of the factors in choosing aircraft. When concluding contracts, manufacturers offer a serious package of financial options (purchase or leasing options, credit rates, and so on). In this context, the complex sales system Airbus and Boeing have built over many years is significantly superior to their Russian and Chinese competitors.
In addition, the supply of commercial aircraft requires a large, extensive and efficient technical network.
service around the world. Often, creating such a network can be a more complex task than creating the aircraft themselves.
What makes entering the market much more difficult is the fact that most airlines have already chosen a supplier. Up to 2025, about 75% of the market for these aircraft has already been contracted.
Nevertheless, taking into account the characteristics and prospects, conquering a certain share of the world market with the MC-21 airliner seems to be a completely feasible task.
And also in broad international cooperation.
In 2009, based on the design team of the Experimental Design Bureau named after. A.S. Yakovlev, a design and engineering division was formed in the corporation - the Engineering Center named after. A.S. Yakovlev, who ensures the development of MS-21. It unites and coordinates the work of scientific and industrial cooperation, which includes the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after. Professor N.E. Zhukovsky (TsAGI) and leading scientific institutes of Russia; competence centers created within the United Aviation Corporation (UAC); domestic and foreign engineering companies creating fundamentally new developments for MS-21.
In a single information space with the Engineering Center, specialists from the Irkut Corporation branches in Ulyanovsk and Voronezh are developing the design and systems of the MS-21 aircraft.
A customer-centric approach to product development was introduced during the design of the MC-21. It provides for the involvement of potential customers in the aircraft development process from the earliest stages of the project.
By 2017, Irkut Corporation signed firm contracts for the supply of 175 MS-21 aircraft. The portfolio of “soft” orders (options and letters of intent) exceeds 100 aircraft. At the same time, Aeroflot will begin deliveries in 2018.
Total investment in the creation program newest aircraft MS-21 in mid-2016 amounted to about 100 billion rubles, of which 80% was money received from the state in the form of various assistance, and 20% from the Irkut Corporation.
On May 28, 2017, the new Russian civilian airliner MS-21 was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
"A huge victory for aircraft manufacturers." First demonstration of the MS-21 aircraft
© Irkut Corporation / The president of the company that developed the MS-21, the Irkut Corporation (part of the United Aircraft Corporation), Oleg Demchenko, during the presentation of the aircraft, noted that several years ago it was decided to make an aircraft that would take its rightful place in the global aviation market. “We are confident that the MS-21 will be the best in its class,” he added.
3 out of 8
The president of the company that developed the MS-21, the Irkut Corporation (part of the United Aircraft Corporation), Oleg Demchenko, during the presentation of the aircraft, noted that several years ago it was decided to make an aircraft that would take its rightful place in the global aviation market. “We are confident that the MS-21 will be the best in its class,” he added.
© RIA Novosti / Sergey Mamontov / The Irkut Corporation has already formed a starting portfolio of firm orders for 175 MS-21 aircraft. Advances have been received under firm contracts. The first operators of the aircraft will be the airlines of the Aeroflot group, which has ordered 50 aircraft. Another customer of the aircraft was Azerbaijan Airlines.
5 out of 8
The Irkut Corporation has already formed a starting portfolio of firm orders for 175 MS-21 aircraft. Advances have been received under firm contracts. The first operators of the aircraft will be the airlines of the Aeroflot group, which has ordered 50 aircraft. Another customer of the aircraft was Azerbaijan Airlines.
© Irkut Corporation / Irkut is considering the issue of supplying the MC-21 to the national carrier of Tanzania, Air Tanzania. An agreement for the supply of six aircraft with the possible purchase of four more aircraft was concluded with Egypt. Jordanian air carriers showed interest in the MC-21.
6 out of 8
Irkut is considering the issue of supplying the MC-21 to the national carrier of Tanzania, Air Tanzania. An agreement for the supply of six aircraft with the possible purchase of four more aircraft was concluded with Egypt. Jordanian air carriers showed interest in the MC-21.
© RIA Novosti / Alexander Astafiev / “Today we see for the first time the MC-21 - one of the most modern airliners in the world, a passenger aircraft of the 21st century. And we are very proud that it was created in our country. This is a huge victory for aircraft manufacturers, a victory for the Irkut corporation, our scientists, our designers, our engineers, our workers. With your hands (of course, with some support from the state), a modern Russian aircraft industry is being created, which is moving our entire country, our economy forward,” said Dmitry Medvedev.
How the car behaved, whether the MC-21 was comfortable in the cockpit and what the aircraft borrowed from its “younger brother” - the Yak-130 combat training aircraft.
— What parameters of the new aircraft were assessed during the first flight?
— Usually the first flight is carried out without changing the takeoff and landing configuration, that is, the plane does not retract the landing gear and flaps, everything is stabilized. This is a standard restriction for all aircraft taking to the skies for the first time. 
“That is why the range of altitudes and speeds in the first flight is significantly reduced. Our speeds were limited due to the extended chassis - we accelerated to 340 km/h. There was no need to climb high either; we flew almost up to 2 thousand meters. The altitude was needed to see how the plane gained it and how it descended.
— We also looked at the aircraft’s controllability characteristics—how it reacts to the stick. They deflected it a little, not to the full amplitude, and watched how it obeyed. In this case, I can only be happy for the car - it has a very good characteristics controllability. 
— Next, we checked the performance of the hydraulic system, power supply, pumps, generators, operation of the air conditioning system, and electrical systems. The heading vertical is the unit that gives us information about the aircraft’s roll, pitch, and heading. 
— Checked radio communication, parameters power plant- speed, temperature, characteristics of the oil system. We assessed the information and control field of the cockpit and how easy it is for the pilot to navigate it during the flight. 
— If everything goes well and there are no major modifications, then in the near future we will continue testing and make a second flight, in which we will be able to remove the landing gear and flaps and will be able to reach other altitudes and speeds. 
— Will you also check the maximum speed and altitude?
- Certainly. Here we can safely say that the characteristics, range of speeds and altitudes of the MC-21 are the same as those of its competitors - Airbus and Boeing. They are dictated by the very commercial activity of the aircraft - these are altitudes up to 12 km, speed up to Mach 0.85 (910 km/h), weight 75-77 tons, range up to 5 thousand km. Such parameters are typical for all commercial aircraft of this class.
— How did MS-21 behave? Did he listen to you well?
- Amazing! The controls are so comfortable that you don't need to get used to it. 
— Roman Petrovich, were you worried before the flight?
— Before you get on the plane, of course, there is excitement. You need to think through the entire sequence of your actions. And when I sit down and start working, I immediately forget that I’m scared, that I’m worried. I just do it, that's all.
— Does this aircraft contain the signature features of Yakovlev aircraft, the traditions and style of the Yakovlev Design Bureau?
— Until now, I have not conducted tests on Yakovlev’s civilian aircraft. At the time when they were lifted into the air, he flew Mikoyan fighters.
I can only say one thing about continuity: the control system that is on the Yak-130 combat training aircraft and makes this aircraft super safe is also used in the MS-21. This “intelligence”, these developments that we made during the tests of the Yak-130, are very comfortable, it’s very cool to control such a system. And, of course, it has the highest degree of security.
— It turns out that the large civil aircraft took some of the best from its combat “younger brother”?
- Yes, that's true. We can say that MS-21 “absorbed” all the best developments of the Yakovlev Design Bureau in this area.
— On the first flight, the MS-21 was not alone, but accompanied by the Yak-130. Was this done for filming or for some other reason?
— During the first flight, there is a possibility that the determination of the altitude and speed parameters of the new aircraft will not be entirely correct. We don’t know how the sensors flow around the sensors in real flight conditions, or whether they function correctly. This is typical for all aircraft. And we begin the tests themselves by correcting the correctness of the readings, because we need to bring the characteristics into line with the correct readings of altitude and speed, temperature and everything else.
“That’s why we raise the escort plane to see if it matches its speed and altitude. In addition, the MS-21 accelerated to such a speed for the first time and took off into the air for the first time. Of course, it is advisable for the escort to see how, for example, the wheels of the aircraft behave, its landing gear, and whether any hatches fly off. Ground testing is one thing, and flight is quite another.
— Was the MS-21 accompanied on its first flight by one plane or two?
— There were two Yak-130s. One was “stuck” to us in order to do the work that I have already mentioned, and the second was there to back up just in case. At the same time, he was assigned the task of aerial photography. The first Yak was piloted by Yakovlev Design Bureau test pilot Vasily Sevastyanov, the second by Maxim Konyushin.
— Approximately how long will the MS-21 tests last?
— The program is very extensive. We are now talking about a factory testing program, then certification will be carried out. This is quite a large volume, but it can be carried out in parallel with the serial production of aircraft.
At the end of May 2017, the “storm of Boeing and Airbus” - the newest Russian aircraft MC-21 - took off for the first time. This steel bird has been called in various ways in the Russian press: “the airliner of the Russian dream” and “the plane of the future.” But are such epithets appropriate?
The history of the MS-21 medium-haul airliner began back in 2002. Then Rosaviakosmos announced a tender for a project to create passenger plane. It was attended by Il-214 (Ilyushin Design Bureau), Tu-234 (Tupolev Design Bureau) and MS-21 (Joint project of Irkut OJSC and Yakovlev Design Bureau). Moreover, the MS-21 was based on the very outdated Yak-242, which was developed back in 1993. It, in turn, was a deeply modernized model of the narrow-body Yak-42 aircraft, the operation of which began back in the 1980s. Surprisingly, it was the MS-21 project that won the tender and received the first $150 million for the development of the aircraft. In 2014, the MS-21 investment project was valued at $3.9 billion. A significant portion of the funds for the project was allocated by Sberbank of Russia under guarantees from the Russian government.
“Russian aircraft should not be inferior to foreign ones in terms of their characteristics,” Dmitry Medvedev said at one of the Security Council meetings on the development of the aviation industry. The vice president of Irkut said that he expects to produce approximately 1,080 MS-21 aircraft by 2035.
The name MC-21 stands for very menacingly - “mainline aircraft of the 21st century.” According to its authors, it should not only replace outdated models from the USSR, such as the Tu-154, but also become a serious competitor to the popular Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. There is only a small problem - tens of thousands of aircraft from foreign aircraft manufacturers have been in operation for many decades, and the only MS-21 made its first flight only at the end of May 2017. In addition, the Russian PD-14 engines planned for installation on the MS-21 were never created on time, and the MS-21 flew with the American Pratt&Whitney PW1400G .
The first flight of the MC-21 evoked a strong feeling of the surrealism of what was happening: the “thunderstorm of Boeing and Airbus” was not just hidden from the public, but completely classified. The first test flight of any new aircraft is always carried out in a solemn atmosphere; representatives of the creator company, the media, politics and foreign guests. After all, any aircraft is a commercial project, the main goal of which is to become as famous as possible for potential buyers. Such demonstration increases the chances of receiving orders and is one of the elements of promotion to international markets.
Nevertheless, the first flight of the “mainline aircraft of the 21st century” lasted only half an hour and took place in extreme secrecy, which is an unprecedented case in the history of aircraft manufacturing.
For comparison: the first flight of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 lasted 2 hours and 42 minutes, the Airbus A320neo - about 2.5 hours. The Chinese passenger Comac C919, which also made its first flight not so long ago, stayed in the air for 79 minutes. Moreover, competitors gained three times the altitude during this time than the MS-21. Of course, such “nuances” can be attributed to a special test program Russian plane. But if everything is so good, then why such secrecy?
Instead of a heart - a Perm motor
One of the main components modern aircraft are its engines. They ensure to a large extent the competitiveness of the aircraft in the market. Fuel consumption depends on them, which for airlines turns into the main economic indicator - the price of a ticket for a passenger. Another important indicator is reliability and mean time between failures.
The engine is the most knowledge-intensive finished component aircraft. It is believed that it takes about 10 years to create a promising turbojet engine.
The aircraft industry of the USSR never managed to create its own reliable and economical engine. The latest Russian development - PS90A - was characterized by low reliability (three to four times worse than that of competitors) with comparable fuel consumption.
The engine developer was the Perm Motors company. In 1997, it miraculously avoided bankruptcy and sold part of its shares to new investors - the Russian Interros and the American engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Corporation. New investors paid off wage debts and significantly modernized production. The Americans actively participated in the development of the new engine, but after a loud scandal they left the project, and the engine remained unfinished and unsuitable for modern aircraft.
The PD-14 engine, developed specifically for the MS-21, is still very crude. Certification of the engine is planned only for 2018. But the deadlines, as you know, tend to shift.
At the same time, the Pratt&Whitney PW1000G series of engines from the American manufacturer has long been debugged, operates reliably and economically. Such engines are installed on the MC-21's main competitors - Bombardier CSeries, Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), Embraer E-Jet E2 and Airbus A320neo.
When will the MS-21 fly on Russian engines? No one can answer this question. The question is whether foreign airlines will even want to deal with aircraft with such engines. Most likely, MS-21s with Russian engines will fly on Russian airlines, and those abroad will have to be equipped with imported ones.
What's in my form for you?
Compared to its main competitors, the MC-21 has a fuselage diameter that is 10-30 cm larger. This will increase the distance between the seats and make them more comfortable. The luggage compartments and the capacity of the aircraft as a whole will also increase.
But the electronic systems and avionics in the MC-21 are completely imported, from Thales, Honeywell and Rockwell Collins corporations. Needless to say, Russian “import-substituted” avionics are still being designed?
In addition to the use of imported components, the MS-21 also has its own Russian design. This is a wing that is entirely made of polymer composite materials. This is a truly revolutionary step for a medium-haul aircraft: previously, carbon fiber reinforced plastic was used as a structural material only in wide-body long-haul aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 XWB.
The peculiarity of composite materials is that parts made from them match or exceed traditional ones in strength, which are created from aircraft alloys. Such parts are lighter, their use reduces the weight of the aircraft and reduces fuel consumption. Which ultimately directly reduces the ticket price for the passenger and increases the competitiveness of the airline.
The Soviet aircraft manufacturing school had very large advances in composite materials. For example, in the largest serial transport aircraft in the world, the An-124 "Ruslan", the landing gear doors, fairings, fairings of the flap monorails, etc. are made of composite materials. In addition, they are used in the form of reinforcing linings in the longitudinal and transverse beams. All this made it possible to reduce the weight of the aircraft by 6 tons.
However, in the case of the MC-21, the lighter composite wing compensates for the weight of the wider fuselage, which will give more high level comfort compared to competitors.
Foggy future
At the start of the MS-21 project, US and European sanctions against Russia could not be imagined by the designers even in a nightmare. About 40 main partners are involved in the project. Half are well-known foreign concerns Eaton, Honyewell, Goodrich, Pratt&Whitney, Thales, Meggitt. It is difficult to say to what extent the designers are provided with imported parts, but it is absolutely certain that in the event of even a slight “squeeze” by sanctions, the MS-21 project simply will not take place. While Russia develops and certifies analogues of imported components (which are more reliable and produced in large quantities), the global aviation industry represented by Boeng, Airbus, Bombardie will again go far ahead.
In addition, China, which previously only copied foreign aircraft, is now actively involved in the air race. The Chinese aircraft Comac C919 was developed by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China. The first flight also took place recently - on May 5, 2017. Like the MC-21, its engines are still imported - CFM Leap 1C. But the C919 airliner is estimated at $50 million, which is half the cost of similar Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The Russian MS-21 will presumably cost $72-85 million, which means it is already losing to the Chinese. At the moment, pre-orders have already been received for 517 Comac C919 aircraft from 21 companies.
Both Russia and China are targeting approximately the same export markets - they want to become the third player after Boeing and Airbus in developing countries through political agreements and government support for sales. At the same time, China has much more political weight and money, not to mention the fact that the huge market of both China itself and the Asian countries that depend on it is closed to the MS-21.
However, political influence does not guarantee successful product promotion. Suffice it to recall the Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100, with which the Russians wanted to conquer Europe. At the end of 2010, Vladimir Putin even met with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi about this and stated that “Italy is ready to purchase a fairly large number of passenger aircraft from Russia.” But just two weeks later, Italy’s main carrier Alitalia abandoned the SSJ 100 and preferred the Brazilian Embraer. In 2015, there was an agreement to supply 100 Russian SSJ-100 aircraft to China and Southeast Asia. The total cost of the deal was estimated at $3.6 billion, but the matter did not progress beyond talks.
Of course, Russia can use the Soviet-era scheme to promote civil aircraft to those countries with which there are contracts for the supply of military equipment (there are about a dozen of them). At the stage of creation, the MS-21 had several dozen firm foreign orders. But at the moment, Egypt and Malaysia have refused firm orders for the “Boeing and Airbus thunderstorm”.
After the lifting of sanctions on Iran, the need for new aircraft in this country became simply enormous. It would seem that the Russians, with their “warm” attitude towards Iran, should have been lucky. But the first to arrive were the European Airbus and the American Boeing, from whom Iran had already ordered hundreds of modern aircraft.
Despite the intentions of the creators of the MS-21 to seriously displace competitors on the international stage, firm contacts have only been concluded with Russian leasing companies. All other clients are so far limited to essentially promising nothing “memorandums of intent” and “memorandums of understanding.”
The start of mass production of the “Russian dream airliner” is expected in 2018. It is enough to remember that the first work on the aircraft began back in 1993 to clearly see the size of the abyss into which the Russian aviation industry collapsed after the collapse of the USSR.
