Composite Russian Narrowbody Coming Along on Schedule

Russia has issued the first type certificate for the new MC-21-300 passenger aircraft to the Irkut Corporation, a part of the United Aircraft Conglomerate of Russia's Rostec State Corp. The certification proves that the MC-21 meets the requirements for the country's civil aircraft, with the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency also issuing the Design Organization Certificate to Irkut. 

The MC-21 could change the passenger aircraft duopoly by providing an alternative to Airbus or Boeing competition. The medium-range aircraft seats anywhere from 163 to 211 seats depending on configuration, reportedly offering longer range than competing options in Russia with its recently completed Aviadvigatel PD-14 engines. The aircraft sports many of the same design elements that have made its competition so popular: strong, lightweight composite materials throughout the aircraft, a high-aspect, aerodynamic wing, and a 4-meter wide cabin. The MC-21 boasts entirely Out Of Autoclave materials, a proprietary Russian technique that sees the composites formed in a vacuum. The patented tech allows for more affordable, voidless parts like the MC's domestically produced composite wings that could beat a similar Airbus program to market. That light weight should yield efficiency dividends, increasing fuel efficiency, all the better to pull market share away from the big players. 

"The obtaining of the Type Certificate from the Federal Air Transport Agency is the most important event for the MC-21 project and the aviation industry. The document confirms that the aircraft is ready for mass production and sales. The aircraft is modern, beautiful, and literally world-class, with a large number of design innovations and the largest cabin among its peers. I'm sure both airlines and passengers will appreciate it," said Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec State Corporation. 

"Actually, thanks to the MC-21, we have experienced a technological revolution in the Russian aircraft industry. New materials for the manufacture of the wing have been developed and produced. The design, production and testing of aggregates made of composites has been mastered. Advanced technologies of modular assembly production have been introduced. The participants in the MC-21 cooperation were united by an information environment that provides digital design and production. The aircraft is intended for the most popular market segment. In the next 20 years, Russia alone is forecasted to need 800+ new aircraft of this size. After proving the aircraft’s outstanding performance in the domestic market, we will go to the international market," said Yury Slyusar, Director General of UAC.

FMI:www.rostec.ru/en