RuAviation

Russia has formally launched development of the MC-21-210, a lower-capacity member of the MC-21 narrowbody family, with a first flight of the prototype targeted for the end of 2028.

The aircraft is intended to broaden the MC-21 lineup into a smaller market segment. It retains much of the architecture of the MC-21-310, while offering reduced seating capacity in the 140–150 passenger class and improved range performance relative to the larger variant.

Yakovlev is leading the program under a state-funded research and development contract running through 2028. The scope includes full aircraft design work, prototype manufacturing, ground testing, and preparation for flight-test operations.

The MC-21-210 concept is not new to the overall program architecture. Early MC-21 studies included both smaller and larger variants before development converged on the MC-21-300 and later the MC-21-310. The reintroduction of a smaller variant reflects renewed efforts to complete the family range and address domestic airline demand for a medium-capacity narrowbody.

The program is closely tied to Russia’s broader import-substitution strategy in civil aviation. The MC-21-210 is expected to make extensive use of systems, components, and production solutions developed domestically for the MC-21-310, increasing commonality across the family and reducing integration risk.

Alongside development of the new variant, engineers are working on incremental improvements applicable across the MC-21 family. These include weight reduction measures for engine pylons and aircraft wiring, as well as a lighter wing box structure intended to improve overall efficiency.

The government has allocated 19.65 billion rubles for the program through 2028. Funding is distributed across design, prototyping, and test activities, with 92 organizations across Russia’s aerospace industry participating in the effort.

Yakovlev first publicly outlined work on the MC-21-210 in 2024, when the aircraft was still in preliminary design studies supported by separate state funding. Those early activities formed the basis for the current full-scale development phase.

If completed on schedule, the MC-21-210 will become the second major derivative in the MC-21 family and expand Russia’s domestic civil aviation offering into a lower-capacity segment of the narrowbody market.