RuAviation

Several developments moved the MC-21 program forward in May, including the launch of the MC-21-210 derivative, continued certification activity and the transfer of the first production MC-21-310 into flight-test operations.

The milestones come as Russia works to complete certification of the domestically equipped MC-21 and prepare the aircraft for commercial service. May also marked nine years since the type’s maiden flight.

Russia launches MC-21-210 development program

Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has awarded Yakovlev a RUB19.65 billion ($250 million) contract to develop the MC-21-210, a shortened version of the MC-21-310.

Under the agreement, which runs through 2028, Yakovlev will complete detailed design work, build a prototype and prepare the aircraft for its first flight by the end of the decade.

Designed to seat up to 150 passengers, the MC-21-210 will complement the larger MC-21-310 while sharing most of its major systems, including the PD-14 engines, cockpit architecture and wing design.

The new aircraft traces its origins to the original MC-21 family concept, which included both the smaller MC-21-200 and the larger MC-21-300. After Russia began replacing foreign-supplied systems with domestically developed equipment, those aircraft evolved into the MC-21-210 and MC-21-310 respectively.

Although Yakovlev initially planned to develop both variants, certification and production of the larger model took priority. The manufacturer also studied a stretched MC-21-400 capable of carrying up to 260 passengers.

Former Irkut chief executive Ravil Khakimov said in 2021 that engineers had already completed design work for both the MC-21-200 and MC-21-400. At the time, the larger MC-21-400 appeared to be the most likely candidate for future family expansion.

Market demand ultimately drove decisions on the smaller variant. In April 2024, Irkut chief executive Andrey Boginsky confirmed plans to proceed with the MC-21-210. The Russian government later allocated RUB1.94 billion for preliminary design activities.

Beyond the new aircraft itself, the latest contract funds several improvements across the wider MC-21 family. Engineers will work to reduce the weight of engine pylons and wiring systems while developing a lighter outboard wing-box structure for future MC-21-210 and MC-21-310 aircraft.

First production MC-21-310 moves into flight testing

The first production MC-21-310 left final assembly on 30 May and entered the flight-test division at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.

Engineers will now begin system checks and production flight-test activities before the aircraft joins the broader certification and delivery-preparation effort. The program will also allow the manufacturer to refine procedures for future customer deliveries.

The aircraft could make its first flight this summer. Yakovlev expects to hand over the aircraft only after completing certification testing and securing approval for the principal amendment to the type certificate.

According to plant director Andrey Soynov, production of MC-21-310 aircraft continues to increase in line with program targets. Moving the first aircraft into flight-test operations also opens space in final assembly for additional airframes now progressing through production.

Irkutsk plant reviews manufacturing processes

The Irkutsk Aviation Plant has launched a manufacturing-improvement initiative aimed at reducing production lead times across the MC-21 program.

Production chief Vitaly Elagin and plant director Andrey Soynov initiated the effort, which brings together manufacturing engineers, design specialists and production managers.

Over a 10-day period, the team will examine production planning, engineering documentation, software tools and coordination between departments. Engineers will conduct detailed shop-floor reviews throughout the plant to identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.

Participants say the initiative aims to streamline manufacturing workflows and support higher production rates as the MC-21 program moves closer to serial deliveries.

Nine years after first flight

Nine years have passed since MC-21 prototype 73051 completed its maiden flight from Irkutsk on 28 May 2017.

At the time, Irkut president Oleg Demchenko described the flight as a milestone for both the company and the broader program team.

The aircraft that flew in 2017 differed significantly from the version now undergoing certification.

When the program began, the MC-21 relied heavily on foreign-supplied systems and components. Sanctions and export restrictions gradually reshaped that strategy, forcing the manufacturer to redesign major sections of the aircraft and rebuild its supplier base.

By 2018, Yakovlev had accelerated work on replacing imported systems while simultaneously developing Russian composite materials and expanding use of the PD-14 engine.

Those efforts eventually produced the MC-21-310, a variant incorporating a substantially higher proportion of domestically developed equipment.

After 2022, localisation expanded further to include avionics, electrical-power systems, onboard computing architecture and aircraft wiring. Regulators responded by revising certification requirements and introducing an updated flight-test campaign for the redesigned aircraft.

Today, the MC-21-310 sits at the centre of Russia’s effort to establish a domestically supplied narrowbody aircraft program.

Certification campaign remains active

Three MC-21-310 test aircraft participated in development and certification activities during May: aircraft 73051 (MS.0001), 73055 (MS.0012) and 73057 (MS.0013).

Together, the aircraft completed 16 flights and accumulated 64 flight hours.

Aircraft 73055 continued navigation-system testing, focusing on inertial-reference-system accuracy, flight-management-system performance and avionics integration. Several flights took place in Arctic operating areas, where engineers evaluated system performance at high latitudes. Results generally confirmed satisfactory operation of the domestically developed navigation suite.

Aircraft 73057 supported performance evaluations, take-off testing at maximum weight and handling assessments. On 22 May, the aircraft flew to Ulyanovsk for landing-gear shimmy trials before returning to Zhukovsky for brake-testing activities involving rejected take-offs and selected hydraulic-system failure scenarios.

Aircraft 73051 completed additional aerodynamic validation flights as part of the ongoing certification campaign.