RuAviation

The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade (Minpromtorg) and PJSC Yakovlev have entered into a contract for research and development (R&D) work aimed at extending the Type Certificate (TC) of the MC-21-310 aircraft. This information has been published on the government procurement website.

The total cost of the project, scheduled for completion by the end of 2027, amounts to 21,704 million roubles (approximately £201.6 million based on current exchange rates). The funding is divided into three phases, each with defined timelines and allocated budgets.

According to the contract, the largest portion of funding, specifically 9,941 million roubles (approx. £92.2 million), is allocated to the first phase, commencing from the date of contract award – 4th to 19th December 2025. The second phase, running from 15th November 2025 to 18th December 2026, will receive 6,962 million roubles (approx. £64.6 million). The final phase, covering the period from 15th November 2026 to 20th December 2027, will be funded to the tune of 4,8 billion roubles (approx. £44.6 million). The specific tasks to be undertaken during each phase are not detailed in the published contract documentation.

Previously, in December 2023, the MC-21 aircraft received a Major Change Approval (MCA), permitting an increase in maximum passenger capacity to 211. This approval allows for the carriage of 36 additional passengers compared to the previous configuration, which was limited to 175 passengers. Obtaining the MCA paves the way for the delivery of MC-21 aircraft in all possible configurations, including the highest-density cabin layouts, to airlines.

The Major Change Approval for the MC-21 type design, related to the installation of the Russian-built PD-14 engine, was granted to the Irkut Corporation by Rosaviatsiya (Federal Air Transport Agency) at the end of 2022. Simultaneously, approval was obtained for the use of a wing manufactured from domestically-produced composite materials. The integration of indigenous components is a strategically important step towards ensuring the independence of the Russian aviation industry.

“The new contract between Minpromtorg and PJSC Yakovlev aims to further expand the capabilities of the MC-21 and may encompass enhanced performance characteristics or the incorporation of additional systems and equipment. While the specific details of the work to be carried out under the contract are not yet public, the overall funding suggests a comprehensive set of upgrades designed to enhance the aircraft’s competitiveness,” commented Andrey Velichko, Editor-in-Chief of the Aviation of Russia website.

In February 2022, the MC-21-300 prototype aircraft underwent cold-soak testing in Yakutsk. The purpose of these tests was to verify the functionality of the aircraft’s systems at temperatures below minus 30°C. During the tests, the aircraft was left exposed to ambient conditions for 12 hours prior to each test phase. Subsequently, aircraft preparation procedures, including fuelling, systems activation, engine start, and aircraft warm-up, were performed.

Despite the successful completion of the Yakutsk tests, a temperature of -30°C is insufficient to demonstrate the MC-21’s suitability for operation in the extreme low-temperature conditions prevalent in northern regions. Further testing under more severe conditions is required to obtain the relevant approvals. Furthermore, testing in hot and high conditions, typical of regions in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, is also necessary. To date, these tests have not been conducted.

Additionally, further certification is required for operations at high northern latitudes. Such trials would have to validate the correct functioning of the avionics, including the inertial navigation system and the satellite navigation systems GPS and GLONASS, at high northern latitudes up to 78° North. Previously, in April 2018, the Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft underwent similar testing.