For the SJ-100 program, 2025 marked a transition from conceptual and design validation to large-scale practical verification of technical and organizational decisions made under the import substitution strategy. The year also consolidated primary flight test data accumulated in 2023–2024.
Throughout 2025, Yakovlev’s Regional Aircraft Division focused primarily on certification flight testing of Superjet aircraft equipped with the PD-8 engines and domestically developed onboard systems.
At the beginning of the year, flight testing involved only one SSJ100 aircraft (tail number 97021), powered by SaM146 engines and fitted with a partially localized equipment suite. Over the course of the year, the program expanded to include aircraft 97012, featuring PD-8 engines and partial system localization, followed by aircraft 97023, which is almost fully import-substituted.
Roles of the Test Aircraft
Aircraft 97021 is used to certify Russian-developed avionics, including the automatic flight control system and autoland capability. It has also been employed in stability and controllability tests at airspeeds and Mach numbers exceeding certified operational limits.
Aircraft 97012, powered by PD-8 engines, participates in propulsion system certification. Aircraft 97023 supports certification of both the PD-8 engine and domestically produced avionics systems.
Transition to Serial Production
In parallel with flight testing, 2025 marked the start of serial manufacturing activities. The first flight of an aircraft built using serial production processes, upgrades to manufacturing tooling, and the establishment of delivery schedules collectively confirmed the readiness of the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant and its supply chain for customer deliveries beginning in 2026.
January
Ground testing of experimental SJ-100 aircraft 97012 continued at Yakovlev’s production center in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, alongside preparations for installation of PD-8 engines.
February
On February 7, an offsite meeting of the SJ-100 external cooperation steering committee was held in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, bringing together key Russian suppliers. The meeting formalized the transition from solution-finding to structured supply chain management and aligned priorities for delivering critical systems.
Later that month, United Engine Corporation (UEC) delivered the first PD-8 turbofan engines to Yakovlev. Following installation on aircraft 97012, engine ground runs commenced, generating data for subsequent flight and certification activities.
March
On March 17, aircraft 97012 completed its maiden flight with PD-8 engines. The approximately 40-minute flight was conducted at speeds up to 500 km/h (270 kt) and altitudes up to 3,000 m (9,800 ft). The tests focused on engine gas-dynamic stability across steady and transient operating modes, with no anomalies observed.
By the end of the month, UEC delivered additional PD-8 engines for aircraft 97023.
April
Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov, announced that certification of the SJ-100 with PD-8 engines was expected to conclude in autumn 2025, with first deliveries planned for early 2026. The statement was made during a visit to UEC-Saturn in Rybinsk.
Rostec subsequently refuted media reports suggesting a delay of certification until March 2026, reaffirming that PD-8 certification remained scheduled for autumn 2025 and that the SJ-100 flight certification program would be completed by year-end.
On April 23, aircraft 97023 completed its first flight in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The aircraft replaced 38 foreign systems with Russian equivalents, including the engines. The 40-minute flight confirmed normal operation of all domestically developed systems.
May
May saw intensive expansion of the SJ-100 certification evidence base. Flight tests covered PD-8 operation at limit regimes and validation of the domestic integrated flight control system. New test scenarios demonstrated automatic reversion to the primary control mode following simulated loss of external signals.
On May 7, aircraft 97012 completed its tenth flight, lasting 3 hours and 20 minutes. The sortie evaluated aircraft stability, engine performance across multiple regimes, and expanded operational limits, including extreme thrust and altitude conditions.
Certification flights also included “sawtooth” profiles and drag checks to assess takeoff, landing, and thrust performance, as well as engine stability.
At Zhukovsky, aircraft 97001 tested the integrated flight control system in Direct Mode, including approach and landing, followed by automatic reversion to Normal Mode upon signal restoration.
June
Certification testing of the Russian automatic flight control system installed on aircraft 97021 began in Zhukovsky. Developed jointly by Yakovlev and KRET, the system supports all flight phases, including ICAO CAT IIIA autoland capability with director guidance and semi-automatic monitoring.
On June 20, aircraft 97023 ferried from Komsomolsk-on-Amur to Zhukovsky via Irkutsk and Novosibirsk, covering approximately 6,000 km (3,200 nm). The flight reached altitudes of up to 12,000 m (39,000 ft) and Mach 0.78, with total flight time of about nine hours.
July
On July 10, aircraft 97012 relocated to Zhukovsky to continue certification testing. Minister Alikhanov confirmed that PD-8 deliveries for serial SJ-100 production are planned for spring 2026, following engine certification by the end of 2025.
August
On August 5, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin instructed Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov to prepare proposals for subsidizing purchases of domestically produced aircraft, including the SJ-100.
At the Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant, a Russian-built mobile wing-to-fuselage mating system entered service, enabling high-precision assembly for serial production.
Flight tests in Zhukovsky confirmed that the flight control system reliably prevents exceedance of speed and Mach limits, automatically restoring normal operation under adverse atmospheric conditions.
September
On September 5, the first serial-configuration SJ-100 (MSN 97004, tail number 97024) completed its maiden flight. The 37-minute flight verified stable engine performance, correct system operation, and favorable handling qualities.
By September, 24 SJ-100 aircraft were at various stages of production at Yakovlev’s facility.
October
On October 28, UAC and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a memorandum of intent to localize SJ-100 production in India. The agreement reflects strong demand for regional aircraft in India, where requirements are projected to exceed 200 units over the next decade.
PD-8 thrust reverser testing was conducted in Ramenskoye. The engine employs a cascade-type thrust reverser, offering faster and quieter operation compared to the bucket-type system used on the SaM146. Tests confirmed improved aerodynamic efficiency and reliability.
November
On November 7, aircraft 97023 completed water-contaminated runway tests, confirming safe takeoff and landing performance under high-moisture conditions.
By November, PD-8 engines had accumulated 4,000 operating hours across bench tests and flight testing on an Il-76LL flying testbed and two Superjet aircraft.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade clarified plans to support re-engining of in-service SSJ100 aircraft with PD-8 engines, replacing SaM146 powerplants.
December
On December 3, aircraft 97021 completed 12 autoland cycles during refinement testing, confirming required safety and accuracy parameters.
UEC completed another phase of PD-8 containment testing at its Rybinsk facility, simulating fan blade failure. The engine previously passed tests for acoustics, water ingestion, crosswind operation, and thrust reverser performance at thrust levels exceeding 8,000 kgf (78.5 kN).
On December 25, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov stated that SJ-100 certification is expected in early 2026, with delivery of 12 aircraft to customers during the year.
Certification Timeline and Outlook
Certification timelines remain directly dependent on test results and industrial readiness. Supply chain constraints and accelerated localization have reshaped production structures and increased reliance on domestic components, affecting entry-into-service schedules.
Unverified media claims suggesting insufficient PD-8 thrust capability are not supported by official data. UEC and Rostec have repeatedly confirmed achievement of the 8,000 kgf thrust rating during bench testing. However, the continuation of certification into 2026 indicates that the SJ-100 has not yet reached operational readiness for passenger service.
Plans for 2026
In 2026, the import-substituted SJ-100 is expected to complete final certification stages. Yakovlev must obtain the aircraft type certificate, while UEC must certify the PD-8 engine. Additional testing, including natural icing trials in Arkhangelsk, remains ahead.
Following certification, deliveries are planned to begin, with approximately 12 aircraft scheduled for handover. A post-certification preparation period of up to three months will be required for pilot and maintenance personnel training, pushing initial widespread operations toward late summer 2026.
Reference: Test Aircraft Fleet (2026)
- Aircraft 97021 (MSN 97001): SaM146 engines, partially localized systems
- Aircraft 97012 (MSN 95157): PD-8 engines, partial localization
- Aircraft 97023 (MSN 97003): PD-8 engines, near-complete import substitution
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