Development and production of civil aviation aircraft in Russia lags far behind the leading aviation countries of the world. A new impetus to the revival of domestic aviation science can only be given by new projects, the urgent need for which is already felt by the country and for the implementation of which all the scientific and production potential available today in Russia can be involved. One of the promising projects is the MS-21 aircraft, the characteristics of which are superior to known analogues.
Perspective state program
The Russian leadership has identified strategic priorities in the field of domestic civil aircraft construction. These include the MS-21 mainline aircraft, which is designed to carry from 150 to 210 passengers. It will be produced in three modifications: with a passenger capacity of 150, 181 and 212 seats.
In fact, MS-21 has become a program for the revival of Russian aviation science. According to Oleg Demchenko, CEO of the Irkut Corporation, which is the head of the project,the MC-21 passenger aircraft received government support and is a key one for both OAK and Russia. Presumably, after the implementation of the project, the short- and medium-haul airliner will go into mass production under the name Yak-242.
Goals and objectives
The new Russian aircraft MS-21 is being developed to replace obsolete Russian aircraft of the Tu-154, Tu-204 class, foreign Boeing-737, A320 and others. The government allocated more than 3 billion dollars to support the project. Foreign components will also be used in the design, including a power plant, a number of components and assemblies. The start of its deliveries to the world market of mainline aircraft is planned for 2016-2017.
Today, Russia's share in the world market in terms of civil aircraft manufacturing is only 1-3%. The government has set a task to increase this share to 5% in 2015, and to 10% by 2025. In solving such an ambitious task, which actually means Russia's return to the global market for commercial aircraft, the MS-21 aircraft is called upon to play a major role.
Features
Three main modifications are being developed, which will differ mainly in the number of seats (and, accordingly, in size) and power plants (to choose from: Perm PD14 or the American Pratt & Whitney of the PW family). The older model MS-21-400 will receive a different power structure of the wing, which can lead to a noticeable rise in price.
| MS-21-400 | MS-21-300 | MS-21-200 | |
|
Length, m |
46, 7 | 41, 5 | 35, 9 |
| Wingspan, m | 36, 8 | 35, 9 | 35, 9 |
| Cabin width, m | 3, 82 | 3, 82 | 3, 82 |
| Engines | PD14M | PD14 or PW1431G | PD14A or PW1428G |
| Take-off weight, t | 87, 2 | 79, 2 | 72, 4 |
| Speed, km/h | 850 | 850 | 850 |
| Flight range, km | 5000 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Passengers (one-class layout) | 212 | 181 | 150 |
| Passengers (high density layout) | 230 | 198 | 162 |
Business plan
The MS-21 aircraft, the characteristics of which will correspond to the best analogues and even exceed them, in terms of its dimensions falls into that class of narrow-body long-haul aircraft with one aisle betweenrows of seats, which occupies 56% of the global civil aviation market. The competition in this niche is very tough. A project implemented by the Irkut Corporation and the OKB im. Yakovlev, with the wide involvement of domestic companies, it is planned to make it highly competitive.
The optimism of the creators is based on the fact that the production of the model will be carried out using completely new technologies and construction materials. The emphasis is also placed on the design of the MS-21 - the photo of the aircraft attracts attention with its smooth lines, elegant shape and modern finish.
According to calculations, the sales volume of the MC-21 aircraft family in all markets will exceed 700 units. Under favorable conditions, the total output of aircraft of this type will exceed 1,000 units, and the annual output may reach 90-100 aircraft. It is assumed that the production model will be one third cheaper than analogues, fuel efficiency will improve by 15%. And in technical terms, the MS-21 aircraft will lead: the characteristics will surpass foreign competitors of this class by 5-7%.
Marketing
United Aircraft Corporation is actively working on marketing issues. A number of foreign partners have been invited to implement this ambitious project. At the last Paris International Aviation and Space Salon in Le Bourget, the models of the MC-21 family occupied a central place on the OAK stand. Photos of the aircraft were published by the world's leading publications as an example of a modern, comfortable and aesthetically attractive airliner. At the MAKS salon to the programMS-21 attracted increased attention of specialists and leading companies planning to take part in its implementation.
Project Benefits
- MS-21 is a new family of medium-haul aircraft for the Russian and global markets.
- A new level of efficiency and comfort in the single-aisle class.
- Advanced technologies from the fields of aerodynamics, materials, propulsion and avionics are created by an international team of leading enterprises.
- The program is centrally managed from aircraft development and production to marketing and sales.
- After-sales service organization in progress.
Production technology
The MS-21 mainline aircraft is being developed by the Irkut Corporation plant (Irkutsk). The workshops are equipped with modern equipment. The enterprise has mastered the key technologies and competencies of MS-21 production. Durr Systems will be used as an automated final assembly line. 13 assembly stations have already been put into operation. Serial technologies are used in the production of prototype aircraft. Core competencies:
- Production of pipelines.
- Production of doors.
- Production of fuselage panels and other components.
Developed a set of technical equipment for crew training. It includes computer classes and simulators (full flight, procedural, the entire line of emergency rescue simulators).training, as well as a simulator of maintenance procedures).
Conclusion
According to the plans of the government, the first plane should take to the skies in 2016. By 2017-2018, aircraft manufacturers are planning to launch serial production of all modifications. MS-21 (in the Yak-242 series) should be a breakthrough project designed to take the Russian aircraft industry to new heights.
