OREANDA-NEWS. Russian Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov announced that a test prototype of the MS-21 airliner will be manufactured before year-end 2015, the first flight will be made in 1H 2016, and the airliner will go into production in 2017. This announcement was made during the Minister's tour of the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.

“The entire planned MS-21 program is being implemented strictly on schedule. Construction of the entire production line will be completed in late May, [2015]. This makes us confident that the first flying prototype of the aircraft will be ready next year,” Denis Manturov said.

According to the Minister, active efforts are under way to substitute imported materials and systems in the new aircraft with Russia-sourced comparable products, development is under way of the PD-14 engine, advanced aircraft systems, airborne equipment, tests and certification are ongoing for new breakthrough composite materials.

The entire planned MS-21 program is being implemented strictly on schedule

Denis Manturov, Trade And Industry Minister, Russian Federations

“The way things stand today with MS-21-300, if we use the Russian-made PD-14 engine, the Russian localization level for parts and components will be above 50%. By the time the airplane enters production stage, this share will increase to 60%,” Denis Manturov said.

In addition, the Trade and Industry Minister noted that the market outlook for demand for MS-21 was optimistic. “The interest in buying aircraft of this kind is strong. The competitive price advantage has increased, among other things, as a consequence of a weaker Ruble exchange rate. Contracts have been signed and advance payments made for as many as 175 aircraft. We are planning to obtain an Interstate Aviation Committee certificate in late 2017 - early 2018.

The delivery of the first four aircraft under contracts that have been signed will take place in 2018,” the Minister said.

The MS-21 airliner is being developed by Irkut, a Russian aviation corporation. The aircraft is one of the top priorities in the aviation industry, receiving support from the Russian government and the Ministry for Trade and Industry.

Rostec Corporation is planning to supply up to 80% of all airborne electronics for the MS-21. KRET, a Rostec subsidiary, is manufacturing and supplying approximately 40% or all avionics and 90% of all software for the MS-21.

The Aviation Equipment Group, another holding company within Rostec, will supply the latest aviation systems and undercarriage components and assemblies for the MS-21.

The RT-Chemcomposite Holding Company, a major developer and manufacturer of composite materials, is also actively involved in creating the new airliner. Extensive use of these modern materials will help to reduce aircraft weight and increase wingspan, giving the aircraft an aerodynamic advantage. Overall, the MS-21 will use 30% to 40% of composite materials.

The new-generation PD-14 engine was developed for the airliner by the United Engine Corporation. It is designed for commercial civil aviation - for short and medium-haul aircraft seating 130-180 passengers.

The MS-21 airliner will offer passengers better comfort than all currently available aircraft in this class, as well as speeding up the passenger boarding and deplaning process.