Meet: MS-21, the new Russian airliner

Few people now know that the word "airplane" was introduced into the everyday life of the poet-futurist Vasily Kamensky. If it had not been for him, we have now made air travels, like all other inhabitants of the planet, on airplanes, and at the same time, they have long been associated with us with the "Newpore" and "Farmans" of the First World War. Today it is time to remember that Russia should have everything of its own, both words and deeds. And passenger liners too. On June 8, a presentation of a new Russian passenger aircraft MS-21 was held. For the sake of such a case, the prime minister came to the city of Irkutsk.

The Russian sky yesterday and today

Soviet civil aviation aircraft (not to mention military) were in no way inferior to Western analogues, which is confirmed by their significant share in the world aviation market. It could have been greater, if not for political circumstances. However, this can not be avoided today, and the task is to provide domestic technology, at least Russian airlines and some foreign ones. At the present time in the sky more often you can see "Boeing", "Airbus", "Fokker" or some Canadian "Bombardier" than the machines of design bureaus Tupolev or Ilyushin. Of course, for each route you need aircraft of your own type, corresponding to passenger traffic and length, but the MS-21 is in the niche of medium-haul airliners, which is very popular all over the world, providing the main passenger traffic in practically all developed countries. In addition, this type is also suitable for transport modifications. It is to him, in all likelihood, that foreign producers should be pressured on the domestic (and not only) market.

Characteristics and scheme

Except for the high profitability due to the excellent aerodynamics and the most modern technologies applied, including materials science, the MS-21 airliner corresponds to the main modern and prospective trends in the world aircraft industry. It is capable of moving at a high subsonic speed, built according to the classical scheme of a monoplane with a low-swept wing and two engines suspended on pylons. The fuselage has a circular cross-section, the tail assembly is also conventional. In the external appearance of the aircraft there is nothing revolutionary, the layout is similar to the one used by many firms before. The height of the car is 11.5 m, the length is 42.3 m, the maximum range of non-stop flight is 5.9-6 thousand km. Depending on the modification

Modifications

While there is a line of models of only two types. The MS-21-200 aircraft accommodates 135 to 176 passengers, the final decision on seat placement will be made by the customer, depending on the preferences in the cabin classroom, which is conditionally divided into the "business" and "economy" zones. In any case, comfort is provided quite acceptable. Modification МС-21-300 even externally differs more than the overall fuselage, it will fit from 163 to 221 people. Accordingly, the duration of a non-stop flight is one hundred kilometers shorter. All the chairs are very comfortable, and in addition there are entertainment centers in the backs, which is now the norm. Modifications also differ in on-board radio-electronic, navigation and other equipment.

Developer and manufacturers

The liner was developed in NPK Irkut in cooperation with the Design Bureau. Yakovlev, this is the second project in the history of the new Russia (after the Tu-204), fully implemented since 1991 on a unique basis, and the first in the 21st century. As for the production base, it is a product of dense cooperation. So, at the Ulyanovsk aircraft plant after the launch in the series, interior salon, decoration and painting of cars will be made and delivered directly to the customer. The Aviastar plant plans to produce fuselage sheathing panels and assembly operations. In the general cycle, LLC "VASO", CJSC "AeroComposite", SSC NTPP "Technology", CJSC "Rusaviainterrier" and other industry enterprises participate.

Production plans

The first copy of the machine, which has already been rolled out, was completely manufactured at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. The first flight is planned for the end of this year, mass production will begin in the next, after which deliveries to customers will begin. According to Oleg Demchenko, president of Irkut Corporation, the competition between MS-21 is not terrible, it has too many obvious advantages, both technical and price. Orders for the aircraft are available, for 175 copies (according to other data already at 186), they have already been hammered, and by 2020 the plan will be 40 copies per year. The innovative car attracted the attention of many airlines, including, of course, Aeroflot.

Cockpit

The cockpit of the pilots is made at the modern level with the use of ergonomic displays providing the effect of "transparent walls", and with joystick duplicated electro-remote control. The crew consists of two people, the first and the second pilot, not counting, of course, flight attendants, which increases economic performance. The capabilities of navigation equipment are very high, with most of the Russian-made instrument system.

Engines

Initially, the airframe was developed taking into account the possibility to complete the power plant with engines of two types, American Pratt and Whitney PW1000G or domestic PD-14 manufactured by Aviadvigatel, which is being finalized at the present time. The Russian engine should provide such economy, that this in itself will become an achievement of the aircraft building industry. We are talking about the start of production of a whole range of power units with subsequent use on other aircraft, including the Sukhoi Superjet 100, currently being completed by the Russian-French PowerJet SaM146. The first copy installed American engines. The versatility of the approach improves the competitive conditions of the MS-21 aircraft.

Competition and advantages

Now about the main thing, namely about those factors that allow optimism to the leaders of Irkut in the immediate historical perspective. The competition in the aviation production market is now great, even considering the projected double-digit growth in the segment of narrow-bodied airliners with passenger capacity exceeding one hundred people in the next 20 years. Bombardier (C-series), Airbus, Boeing and even the Chinese company Komak are actively promoting their designs, although China has never before been considered the leading aircraft-building power. In addition, Irkut, apparently, was somewhat late with its novelty, enabling competitors to receive order portfolios for several years.

When promoting the "Superjet" world markets, the Russian side made a number of mistakes, and now it's time to analyze them competently, so as not to repeat. So, first of all this price, it will be less than $ 30 million, which corresponds to today's minimum level. This result is achieved due to the fact that more than half of the components are manufactured in Russia. Secondly, unlike previous unsuccessful cases, a clear system of technical after-sales support for operators will be established. Thirdly, the maintenance and fuel consumption will cost the buyer or lessee a leased asset at least 15% cheaper than when working with other suppliers. In addition, the financing process itself will be revised, commercial banks will be attracted to it. All this allows us to count on the success of a new Russian aircraft not only on the domestic, but also on the foreign market. It remains to wish MS-21 a clear sky, beautiful ups and soft landings.