Ms 21 aircraft characteristics of all models. The high cost of maintaining civil aircraft
Yak-242 (MS-21) is a design vehicle of the Russian medium main aircraft to transport passengers over short distances. Operational use is planned for the beginning of 2016, and the device should go into serial production in 2017. The main competitor of this airliner is the Chinese-made C919 aircraft.
A brief history of the creation of the Yak-242 (MS-21) aircraft
The design and manufacture of this aircraft is being carried out by the Yakovlev Design Bureau together with the Irkut company. At the initial stages of design, the Ilyushin Design Bureau was also involved, but at the beginning of 2008 it left the project. In the fall of 2010, TsAGI tested the engines and air intakes that are planned to be installed on this passenger liner. These tests made it possible to work out the safety modes of the power plant. As a result, TsAGI developed a whole set of recommendations for designers of the Yak-242 (MS-21) aircraft.
In September 2011, the management of the Irkut company announced that they would create vehicles for customers that are equipped with 180 passenger seats, although earlier manufacturers planned to produce a cabin with 150 seats. This is due to the fact that most customers prefer a machine with big amount passenger seats.
Yakovlev Yak-242 (MS-21) video
In the summer of 2012, aircraft manufacturers signed a contract with Pratt & Whitney, which will supply the PW1400G type engine. They will be installed on the new aircraft, the first test flight is scheduled for 2015. In addition, the MS-21 type machine also exists with Russian-made engines, which are designated as PD-14. Aircraft with this type of engines are planned to be delivered to customers from Russia.
The assembly of the first full-fledged MS-21 aircraft was started in the winter of 2014 at an aircraft factory in the city of Irkutsk. In the summer of the same year, a large-scale model was tested at TsAGI. According to official data, the first flight of the new passenger liner scheduled for April 2016.
Features of the design of the aircraft Yak-242 (MS-21)
The designers of this device have developed three versions of this machine. They differ only in the number of seats in the passenger cabin. The first option can accommodate 150 people, the second - 181 people, and the third modification can accommodate 212 passengers. A version of the machine was developed with a longer flight range, which was increased by 1.5 thousand kilometers.
The machine was made as a low-wing monoplane. They have an arrow-shaped form, two pylons for jet engines are attached to them. The chassis system is represented by three legs. The front support is of a controlled type, in addition, all wheels of the chassis are equipped with brake systems. As for the aerodynamics of the body, it is similar to similar machines of this class, but has some advantages in the sense that it puts this device an order of magnitude higher than others.
MS-21 has a large width of 11 meters, which significantly increases comfort in the passenger compartment. When designing the aircraft, the latest systems and structures were added to achieve high aerodynamic qualities. In the manufacture of this liner, many new alloys and composite materials are involved, which makes it possible to reduce the weight of the apparatus, while the design does not lose its qualities. It should be noted that when using these materials, the machine becomes much less expensive to operate.
To create a wing for this aircraft, the Aerocomposite company was created, which employs the best designers in the industry. The wings of the car will be made of composite materials. When ordering an MC-21 aircraft, you can independently choose the type of passenger compartment and engine. As mentioned earlier, the engine can be installed foreign or domestic. The first production aircraft of the Yak-242 (MS-21) type are expected in 2017.
In the manufacture of this machine, many advantages were obtained over devices of this class. Firstly, the domestic car has ecological engines, excellent aerodynamic characteristics. The advantage over other machines is the relatively low weight of the entire structure of the aircraft. Secondly, this machine can accommodate a large number of passengers, and not all aircraft have such indicators. Also, this liner has a long flight range with relatively low fuel consumption. The wide body allows you to accommodate a large number of people more comfortably. All these advantages of the Yak-242 (MS-21) aircraft allow saving up to 50% of costs in comparison with similar aircraft from other manufacturers. When calculating, you can see that this device will bring a lot of profit per year.
Sukhoi Superjet 100 and MS-21 - Civil aviation of Russia
The manufacturers plan to carry out serial production of these machines in the amount of 72 copies per year. Corporation "Irkut" plans to manufacture this model passenger aircraft over the course of five years. As of today, the supply horizon until 2023 is visible. According to the calculations of the manufacturers, this project will begin to pay for itself only from the 350th machine. The manufacture of parts and assemblies is carried out simultaneously at several factories, but the final assembly is carried out at the Irkutsk plant.
Yak-242 (MS-21) characteristics:
Crew: 2 people
Length: 38.25 m
Height: 12.55 m
Wingspan: 36.25 m
Wing area: 120 m²
Takeoff weight: 64 600 kg
Aircraft curb weight: 38,400 kg
Engines: 2 x PS-90A12 12000 kgf
Passenger capacity: 156-162 people
Flight characteristics:
Cruise speed: 800-850 km/h
Flight range: 5000 km
At the end of May 2017, the "thunderstorm of Boeing and Airbus" - the newest Russian aircraft MC-21 - took off for the first time. As soon as this steel bird was not called in the Russian press: both the “liner of the Russian dream” and the “aircraft of the future”. But are such epithets appropriate?
The history of the MS-21 medium-haul airliner began in 2002. Then Rosaviakosmos announced a tender for a project to create a passenger aircraft. Il-214 (Ilyushin Design Bureau), Tu-234 (Tupolev Design Bureau) and MS-21 (Joint project of OAO Irkut and Yakovlev Design Bureau) took part in it. Moreover, the MS-21 was based on the very outdated Yak-242, which was developed back in 1993. He, in turn, was a deeply modernized model of the Yak-42 narrow-body aircraft, the operation of which began back in the distant 1980s. Surprisingly, it was the MS-21 project that won the tender and received the first $150 million for the development of the aircraft. In 2014, the MS-21 investment project was valued at $3.9 billion. Sberbank of Russia allocated a significant part of the funds for the project under the guarantees of the Russian government.
"Russian aircraft should not lose to foreign ones in terms of their characteristics," Dmitry Medvedev said at one of the meetings of the Security Council on the development of the aviation industry. The vice-president of the Irkut company said that he expects to produce approximately 1080 MS-21 aircraft by 2035.
The name MS-21 stands for very menacing - "the main aircraft of the XXI century." As conceived by its authors, it should not only replace outdated models from the Soviet era, such as the Tu-154, but also become a serious competitor to the popular Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. There is only a small problem - tens of thousands of aircraft from foreign aircraft manufacturers have been in operation for many decades, and the only MS-21 performed its first flight only at the end of May 2017. In addition, Russian engines The PD-14s, planned for installation on the MS-21, were never created on time, and the MS-21 flew with the American Pratt & Whitney PW1400G.
The first flight of the MS-21 evoked a strong sense of surrealism of what was happening: the "thunderstorm of Boeing and Airbus" was not just hidden from the public, but was completely classified. The first test flight of any new aircraft is always held in a solemn atmosphere, the show is attended by representatives of the creator company, the media, politicians and foreign guests. After all, any aircraft is a commercial project, the main goal of which is to become as famous as possible for potential buyers. Such a demonstration increases the chances of obtaining orders and is one of the elements of promotion to international markets.
Nevertheless, the first flight of the "main aircraft of the 21st century" lasted only half an hour and took place in the regime of special secrecy, which is an unprecedented event in the history of aircraft construction.
For comparison: the first flight of Boeing 737 MAX 9 lasted 2 hours and 42 minutes, Airbus A320neo - about 2.5 hours. The Chinese passenger Comac C919, which also made its first flight not so long ago, stayed in the air for 79 minutes. Moreover, competitors recruited during this time three times great height than MS-21. Of course, such "nuances" can be attributed to a special test program Russian aircraft. But if everything is so good, then why such secrecy?
Instead of a heart - Perm motor
One of the main components modern aircraft are its engines. It is they who largely ensure the competitiveness of the aircraft in the market. Fuel consumption depends on them, which for airlines turns into the main economic indicator - the price of a ticket for a passenger. Another important indicator is reliability and time between failures.
The engine is the most science-intensive finished component of an aircraft. It is believed that the creation of a promising turbojet engine takes about 10 years.
The aviation industry of the USSR did not have time to create its own reliable and economical engine. The latest Russian development - PS90A - was distinguished by low reliability (three to four times worse than that of competitors) with comparable fuel consumption.
The engine was developed by Perm Motors. In 1997, it miraculously avoided bankruptcy and sold part of the shares to new investors - the Russian Interros and the American engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Corporation. The new investors paid off wage arrears and significantly modernized production. The Americans actively participated in the development of a new engine, but after a loud scandal they left the project, and the engine remained unfinished and unsuitable for modern aircraft.
The PD-14 engine, developed specifically for the MS-21, is still very crude. Certification of the engine is planned only for 2018. But, as you know, the deadlines tend to shift.
At the same time, the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G series of engines from the American manufacturer has been debugged for a long time, it works reliably and economically. Such engines are installed on the main competitors of the MC-21 - Bombardier CSeries, Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), Embraer E-Jet E2 and Airbus A320neo.
When will the MS-21 fly on Russian engines? No one can answer this question. The question is whether foreign airlines will want to deal with aircraft with such engines at all. Most likely, MS-21s with Russian engines will fly on Russian airlines, and abroad they will have to be equipped with imported ones.
What is in my form to you
Compared to its main competitors, the MS-21 has a 10-30 cm larger fuselage diameter. This will increase the distance between the seats and make them more comfortable. The luggage compartments and the capacity of the aircraft as a whole will also increase.
But the electronic systems and avionics in the MS-21 are completely imported, from Thales, Honeywell and Rockwell Collins corporations. Is it worth saying that the Russian "import-substituted" avionics is still being designed?
In addition to using imported components, the MS-21 also has its own Russian development. This is a wing that is entirely made of polymer composite materials. For a medium-haul aircraft, this is a truly revolutionary step: previously, carbon fiber was used as a structural material only in wide-body long-haul aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 XWB.
The peculiarity of composite materials is that the parts made from them match or exceed the strength of traditional ones, which are made from aviation alloys. Such parts are lighter, their use reduces the weight of the aircraft and reduces fuel consumption. Which ultimately directly reduces the ticket price for the passenger and increases the competitiveness of the airline.
The Soviet school of aircraft building had a very large backlog in composite materials. For example, in the An-124 Ruslan, the largest production transport aircraft in the world, landing gear doors, fairings, flap monorail fairings, etc. are made of composite materials. In addition, they are used in the form of reinforcing pads in longitudinal and transverse beams. All this made it possible to reduce the weight of the aircraft by 6 tons.
However, in the case of the MC-21, the lighter composite wing compensates for the weight of the wider fuselage, which will provide a higher level of comfort compared to competitors.
Foggy future
At the start of the MS-21 project, the US and European sanctions against Russia could not have been imagined by the designers even in a nightmare. About 40 key partners are involved in the project. Half are well-known foreign concerns Eaton, Honyewell, Goodrich, Pratt & Whitney, Thales, Meggitt. It is difficult to say how much the designers are provided with imported parts, but it is absolutely certain that in the event of even a small "boost" of sanctions, the MS-21 project simply will not take place. As long as Russia develops and certifies analogues of imported components (which are more reliable and are produced in large quantities), the global aviation industry represented by Boeng, Airbus, Bombardie will again go far ahead.
In addition, China, which previously only copied foreign aircraft, is now actively involved in the air race. The Chinese aircraft Comac C919 was developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China. The first flight also took place recently - on May 5, 2017. Like the MS-21, its engines are still imported - CFM Leap 1C. But the C919 is valued at $50 million, half the cost of similar Boeing and Airbus. The Russian MS-21 will presumably cost $72-85 million, which means it is already losing to the Chinese. On this moment pre-orders for 517 Comac C919 aircraft from 21 companies have already been received.
Both Russia and China are oriented towards the same export markets - they want to become the third player after Boeing and Airbus in developing countries through political agreements and state support for sales. At the same time, China has much more political weight and money, not to mention the fact that the huge market of both China itself and Asian countries dependent on it is closed to the MS-21.
However, political influence does not guarantee the successful promotion of the product. Suffice it to recall the Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100, with which the Russians wanted to conquer Europe. At the end of 2010, Vladimir Putin even met with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi about this and said that "Italy is ready to buy a fairly large number of passenger aircraft from Russia." But two weeks later, Italy's main air carrier, Alitalia, abandoned the SSJ 100 and preferred the Brazilian Embraers. In 2015, there was an agreement to supply 100 Russian SSJ-100 aircraft to China and South East Asia. The total cost of the deal was estimated at $3.6 billion, but the matter did not progress beyond talk.
Of course, Russia can use the scheme of the USSR times - to promote civil aircraft to those countries with which there are supply contracts military equipment(there are about ten of them). At the stage of creation, the MS-21 had several dozen solid foreign orders. But to date, Egypt and Malaysia have refused firm orders for the “thunderstorm of Boeing and Airbus”.
After the lifting of sanctions on Iran, the need for new aircraft in this country has become simply enormous. The Russians, with their "warm" attitude towards Iran, it would seem, should have been lucky. But the European Airbus and the American Boeing were the first to arrive, from which Iran has already ordered hundreds of modern aircraft.
Despite the intentions of the creators of MC-21 to seriously oust competitors in the international arena, firm contacts have been concluded only with Russian leasing companies. All other clients so far are limited, in fact, to promising nothing "memorandums of intent" and "memorandums of understanding."
The start of mass production of the "Russian Dreamliner" is expected in 2018. It is enough to recall that the first work on the aircraft began back in 1993 to clearly see the size of the abyss into which the Russian aviation industry collapsed after the collapse of the USSR.
The developer and manufacturer of the newest Russian aircraft MS-21, the Irkut Corporation, intends to start mass production of the MS-21 at the end of the year. Work is progressing according to schedule.
At the end of 2017, the production of various parts for the next five production MC-21 aircraft will begin. In 2018, it is planned to complete the production of flight prototypes and continue the production of already serial aircraft. The line's productivity will be about 20 aircraft annually with a phased exit to the maximum level. Now one aircraft is undergoing flight tests, the second is in TsAGI (Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after Zhukovsky - ed.). Ed.) for static testing. The glider of the third experimental aircraft has been fully docked, the fuselage of the fourth experimental aircraft is being assembled and parts for the fifth are being manufactured.
The certification basis for the MC-21-300 aircraft has already been approved, and applications have been submitted to Russian certification authorities and international EASA.
The PW-1400G-JM main engine is certified in the Russian Federation, FAA, EASA.
At the same time, certification tests are being carried out on the stands: a total of 56 stands, tests on 22 stands have been completed.
Qualification testing of materials is underway.
CERTIFICATION
Certification tests of the MS-21-300 aircraft are on schedule .
The schedule of certification flight tests of the MC-21-300 aircraft includes 1,000 flights.
The planned date for obtaining the Russian type certificate is the middle of 2019. The planned date for obtaining the EASA type certificate is the middle of 2020.
Tests
In 2018, three more MC-21-300 aircraft, which are currently being built at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a branch of the Irkut Corporation, will join the test flights. So far, the company is testing only one MS-21-300: at the end of May, it made its first flight.
More than 10 flights have been carried out so far.
October 17, 2017 after the completion of the test flights at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a new Russian airliner made a non-stop flight from Irkutsk to the airfield LII im. M. M. Gromova.
On November 2, 2017, the MS-21-300 prototype aircraft made its first flight from the airfield of the LII named after. M. M. Gromov in the city of Zhukovsky, Moscow Region. The flight lasted over three hours.
During the flight, the characteristics of stability and controllability were determined at an altitude of 6,000 to 12,000 meters. All aircraft systems worked normally.
Flight tests of the MS-21-300 continue on the basis of the Flight Test and Development Complex (LIiDK) of the OKB im. A. S. Yakovleva.
In LIiDK OKB im. A. S. Yakovlev, a new hangar was built specifically for basing the MS-21 aircraft, in which modern complex collection, processing and storage of flight information recorded during flight and ground tests.
A static test aircraft was also built. Another aircraft for endurance testing is in the process of manufacturing fuselage components.
The second flight aircraft is being prepared for transfer to the flight test unit (LIP). The third flying aircraft is in the final assembly shop (transfer to LIP - 2018), the fourth flying aircraft is at the stage of manufacturing parts and assembling fuselage compartments.
MS-21 is being developed by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, Irkut is part of the UAC). Irkut will produce two versions of the aircraft - MS-21-200 (from 132 to 165 seats) and MS-21-300 (from 163 to 211 seats). While the company is preparing only the MS-21-300 aircraft for mass production, it made its first flight at the end of May. The first deliveries of the aircraft are scheduled for 2018.
In 2010, a number of leasing companies entered into firm contracts and framework agreements for the supply of aircraft: Ilyushin Finance ordered 50 aircraft (firm contract), Aviacapital Service in the interests of Aeroflot - 50 aircraft (firm contract), Sberbank Leasing "- 20 aircraft, VEB-Leasing - 30 aircraft.
MS-21-300
The capacity in the two-class layout is 163 seats (16 business + 147 economy), the capacity in the dense layout is 211 seats. The maximum takeoff weight is 79,250 kg. The maximum payload is 22,600 kg.
The maximum flight range is 6 thousand km. The main dimensions - the length of the aircraft is 42.2 m, the wingspan is 35.9 m, the height is 11.5 m.
The liner is offered to customers with two types of engines: PW1400G from Pratt & Whitney (USA) and PD-14 from the United Engine Corporation (Russia).
MS-21 flies faster than competitors and wins due to greater efficiency. According to Irkut's calculations, when using the MS-21, airlines will be able to save up to $3 million a year. Aeroflot will be the first operator of the new aircraft.
The catalog price of the MS-21 will be from $90 million, while the European competitor Airbus A320 is $97 million, the American Boeing 737 of new versions is $95 million.
New technologies
According to Western experts, the world's leading aircraft corporations are going to continue to use the non-autoclave technology that was used in the manufacture of the MS-21. We are talking about the rejection of the use of industrial autoclaves, in which high pressure and high temperature are necessary to form the composite elements of the aircraft.
Henri Girardi, development manager for Hexcel Composites, commented to Reuters: “This is one of the big questions in the aerospace industry right now: how to produce parts without autoclaves on an industrial scale and at high speed.”
The MS-21 is the first aircraft in the world to produce large parts using infusion technology with maximum use of automation. Refusal to use prepreg-autoclave technology, according to many estimates, will significantly reduce the costs of companies when creating aircraft.
Many experts point out that the question of how successful the project of the “Main Aircraft of the 21st Century” will be is still open. However, its creation using new technologies on an industrial scale quite clearly indicates the restoration of aircraft building competencies, including engine building (from 2018, new Russian PD-14 engines will be used on the MS-21).
And also in wide international cooperation.
In 2009, on the basis of the design team of the Experimental Design Bureau. A.S. Yakovlev, a design and engineering division was formed in the corporation - the Engineering Center. A.S. Yakovlev, which provides the development of MS-21. It unites and coordinates the work of scientific and industrial cooperation, which includes the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute. Professor N.E. Zhukovsky (TsAGI) and leading scientific institutes of Russia; competence centers established within the framework of the United Aviation Corporation (UAC); domestic and foreign engineering companies that create fundamentally new developments for the MS-21.
In a single information space with the Engineering Center, specialists from the branches of the Irkut Corporation in Ulyanovsk and Voronezh are developing the design and systems of the MS-21 aircraft.
A customer-centric approach to product development was introduced in the design of the MC-21. It provides for the involvement of potential customers in the aircraft development process from the earliest stages of the project.
By 2017, the Irkut Corporation signed firm contracts for the supply of 175 MS-21 aircraft. The portfolio of "soft" orders (options and agreements of intent) exceeds 100 aircraft. At the same time, Aeroflot, the start of deliveries is 2018.
Total investment in the creation program the latest aircraft MS-21 in the middle of 2016 amounted to about 100 billion rubles, of which 80% was money received from the state in the form of various assistance, and 20% - from the Irkut Corporation.
On May 28, 2017, the new Russian civil airliner MS-21, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin announced this.
The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources
"A huge victory for aircraft manufacturers." The first demonstration of the MS-21 aircraft
© Corporation "Irkut" / Oleg Demchenko, president of the MS-21 development company - Irkut Corporation (part of the United Aircraft Corporation) - during the presentation of the aircraft noted that several years ago it was decided to make an aircraft that would take worthy place in the global aviation market. "We are confident that the MS-21 will be the best in its class," he added.
3 of 8
Oleg Demchenko, president of the MS-21 developer company, the Irkut Corporation (part of the United Aircraft Corporation), noted during the presentation of the aircraft that a few years ago it was decided to make an aircraft that would take its rightful place in the global aviation market. "We are confident that the MS-21 will be the best in its class," he added.
© RIA Novosti / Sergey Mamontov / Irkut Corporation has already formed a starting portfolio of firm orders for 175 MS-21 aircraft. Advances have been received under firm contracts. The first aircraft operators will be the airlines of the Aeroflot group, which has ordered 50 aircraft. Another customer of the aircraft was Azerbaijan Airlines.
5 out of 8
Irkut Corporation has already formed a starting portfolio of firm orders for 175 MS-21 aircraft. Advances have been received under firm contracts. The first aircraft operators will be the airlines of the Aeroflot group, which has ordered 50 aircraft. Another customer of the aircraft was Azerbaijan Airlines.
© Corporation "Irkut" / Irkut is considering the supply of MS-21 to the national carrier of Tanzania, Air Tanzania. An agreement for the supply of six aircraft with the possible purchase of four more aircraft was concluded with Egypt. Interest in the MS-21 was shown by Jordanian air carriers.
6 out of 8
Irkut is considering the supply of MS-21 to the national carrier of Tanzania, Air Tanzania. An agreement for the supply of six aircraft with the possible purchase of four more aircraft was concluded with Egypt. Interest in the MS-21 was shown by Jordanian air carriers.
© RIA Novosti / Alexander Astafiev / “Today we are seeing the MS-21 for the first time, one of the most modern liners in the world, a passenger aircraft of the 21st century. And we are very proud that it was created in our country. This is a huge victory for aircraft manufacturers, a victory for the Irkut corporation, our scientists, designers, our engineers, our workers. Your hands (of course, with some support from the state) create a modern Russian aircraft industry that moves our entire country, our economy forward," Dmitry Medvedev said.
In Irkutsk, the first newest Russian long-haul aircraft was rolled out since the Soviet era. This project should become not just commercially successful, but innovative. MS-21 will bring Russian civil aviation to a new world level. The Russian airliner promises not only to be on a par with Boeings and Airbuses, but also to surpass them in a number of parameters.
On June 8, 2016, Irkut Corporation (part of UAC) held a solemn ceremony of rolling out the first MS-21-300 aircraft intended for flight testing.
“It's called the big leagues. And in no case should we disappear from this major league. ”
Speaking at the roll-out ceremony, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev noted: “This is a huge victory for the Irkut Corporation, our scientists, our designers, our engineers, our workers. With your hands, of course, with some support from the state, the modern Russian aircraft industry is being created.”
« New project in the aircraft industry, for obvious reasons, it is not at all cheap. In general, there are very few states that have developed aircraft manufacturing. And it's called "major league". And in no case should we disappear from this major league. Therefore, we are working for the future and will continue to update the fleet of Russian civil aviation", Medvedev promised.
In his opinion, the demand for the new MS-21 aircraft will grow as soon as it starts flying.
The first flight of MS-21 should take place before the end of this year. Serial production is expected to start in 2017. And at the end of 2018, the first airline will receive the aircraft for commercial operation. It will be Aeroflot.
MS-21 will be presented in two modifications: MS-21-300 for 160–211 passenger seats and a shortened version of MS-21-200 for 130–176 seats. Certification of the first version is planned in 2017-2018, the second version - in 2019-2020.
Comparison with competitors
“MS-21 is the first in recent history Russian project to create a main aircraft. Until now, we lived off the Soviet backlog - and now we have grown to our own product, ”says the head of Avia.ru Roman Gusarov.
For the first time, Russia is entering into competition with the world's aircraft manufacturing concerns - Airbus and Boeing. The main competitors are improved versions of the Airbus A319neo and Boeing 737 MAX (remotorized, that is, with improved engines), as well as the Chinese development of Comac - C919.
“The A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft currently on the market offer improved fuel consumption performance and some reduction in direct operating costs. The price for them is higher than for their non-refurbished versions. At the same time, the MS-21 is positioned as an aircraft that provides even greater advantages than remotorized bestsellers, but at the price of non-remotorized aircraft,” says Oleg Panteleev from Aviaport.
Thus, the developer claims that the operational characteristics of the MS-21 are reduced by 12-15% compared to the current generation aircraft and by 6-7% compared to their remotorized versions, that is, with the A320neo and the Boeing 737 MAX. The reduction in operating costs is achieved through reduced fuel consumption and reduced aircraft weight.
The cruising speed of the MS-21 is higher than that of the European competitor - 870 km/h versus 828 km/h for Airbus. Even the Boeing 737 MAX with its 842 km / h is inferior to the Russian airliner. “If you calculate how many kilograms of construction fall on one passenger seat with a similar layout, the MS-21 will look better than its rival,” says Oleg Panteleev. “It will have the same engine as the A320neo in terms of fuel consumption, but the MS-21 will have a lighter weight and a better wing in terms of aerodynamics, which will provide it with additional advantages.”
At the same time, the catalog price of one MS-21 airliner is $85 million. Whereas Airbus A319neo costs from 97.5 to 124.4 million dollars, depending on the modification, and Boeing 737 MAX - from 90.2 to 116.6 million dollars.
Emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere in MS-21 is reduced by more than 20% compared to existing analogues.In addition, the designers have reduced the turnaround time of the aircraft at the airport by as much as 20% compared to competitors. Together with better fuel and weight efficiency, airlines will be able to earn up to $3 million additionally from operating the MS-21.
“It has more than 10 centimeters more diameter of the fuselage, which makes it possible to make the passage between the seats wider: when one person puts his things on the luggage rack during landing, the other can go further deep into the cabin behind him. Due to this, the time of embarkation and disembarkation is significantly reduced,” says Panteleev.
The design of the passenger cabin and toilet cabins also makes it possible to speed up the process of cleaning the aircraft and prepare it for a second flight. This will allow airlines to increase flight hours and, if necessary, compensate for flight delays and maintain punctuality.
“Those few minutes that can be saved during the turnaround of an aircraft at airports are a very serious advantage for major airlines. If you multiply a few minutes by a few dozen aircraft, and also consider that the MS-21 itself flies a little faster than its competitors, then it turns out that airlines can do a lot of work with fewer aircraft,” explains Panteleev.
And, of course, the widest interior in its class should provide new level comfort for passengers and crew of MS-21.
Russian know-how
Another design advantage of the MS-21 is the use of the latest composite materials in its creation. The share of composites in the structure is about 40%.
But the most important thing is that the MS-21 has a composite wing. Moreover, the wing manufacturing technology itself differs from what is abroad. “The Boeing-787 Dreamliner and A350, as you know, also have composite wings, but they make them using a different technology. Our technologies are cheaper and make the wing lighter. In fact, we were able to take the technology developed by Austrian companies, significantly transform it, master it and bring it to mass production. In the future, this technology can give even better results, that is, it will provide a significant superiority of the wing created according to Russian technology over the wing created according to traditional technology used in Europe or America,” says Oleg Panteleev.
We are talking about the infusion technology for creating a composite wing box for the MS-21 aircraft. Russia was the first to use this technology on an industrial scale, and even more so for the manufacture of large aircraft structures. The so-called black wing improves the aerodynamic quality of the aircraft in cruising flight.
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Another important point is related to the intelligence of the aircraft - software, which contains the algorithm and functions of aircraft control. All this was developed by Russian specialists themselves from Irkut, TsAGI and other companies that are part of the UAC.
“As a result, the MS-21 aircraft received, on a largely foreign element base, the implementation of Russian and often unparalleled ideas on how to fly an aircraft,” says Panteleev.
“The MS-21 aircraft control system has many functions - the so-called foolproofing, which are not on foreign aircraft, and those that were not even on the SSJ. Although SSJ was extremely advanced in this regard,” adds aviation expert. We are talking about improving the safety of the aircraft and reducing the risk of the human factor in control.
Panteleev gives several examples. When the Airbus 321 crashed over Sinai, there was information that during its operation by the previous airline, the tail section of the fuselage of the runway was allowed to touch.
“Even on the Tu-214, a system was invented and implemented that does not allow the pilot to turn his nose up during takeoff so that the plane strikes its tail. This feature was also implemented on the SSJ 100. And now it is on the MS-21. But due to the fact that the MS-21 has a very large wingspan, for the first time a restriction was introduced not only on nose up, but also on the angle of roll, so that when landing, the aircraft would not touch the ground with a wing or engine nacelle (the place where the engine is located ),” says Panteleev.
The MS-21 control system will also protect the aircraft from the so-called stall, which occurs if the aircraft turns up its nose and loses speed. “The aircraft loses stability and falls on the wing, and it is difficult to get it out of this mode. On the MS-21, even if the pilot pulls the steering wheel towards himself, he will only be able to increase the angle to the maximum, but still safe value, but he will not be able to go over the line, ”the source says.
Russian engineers even managed to evaluate how the aircraft should behave in icing conditions, that is, when ice formed on the wing. In this case, the critical angle, which saves the aircraft from nose up and stall, will be even smaller.
Another example is the Kazan and Rostov crashes of the Boeing 737. “In the course of the investigation of these crashes, it was noted that when going to the second circle, the pilots move the engine control levers (or adjust the button), and the engines go into high mode, that is, take off for the second circle . And since the engines are under the wing, they create the so-called. pitching moment, or, in other words, lift up the nose of the aircraft, - says Panteleev. - Automation in MS-21 when changing the engine operating mode or when releasing or retracting air brakes automatically counters the pitching moment. If, when gaining thrust, the engines tend to turn the aircraft so that the nose is lifted up, then the control system maintains the aircraft in the same position with the elevators as it was before the change in thrust,” says Panteleev. There are still many such functions in the MS-21, he assures.
All this automation allows you to level the side effects of the "manual" control of the aircraft.
“Yes, perhaps the element base is foreign, but Russia has taken over the most important functions for the development of know-how. Russia, firstly, came up with these functions of the control system, and secondly, integrated them into foreign-made units. Maybe we took the microcircuits of others, but we did not give our ideas to foreigners - how to implement it. We got what we are now superior to our competitors,” says Oleg Panteleev.
The heart of the liner
Finally, Irkut offers MS-21 customers a choice of new generation engines from two manufacturers. The first is PW1400G from the American Pratt & Whitney. The second is the PD-14 turbofan engine, the latest and completely domestic, from the United Engine Corporation (UEC). For the first time since the collapse of the USSR, Russia is building a new engine. It was developed specifically for the MS-21. In November 2015, the UEC began flight tests of the PD-14.
According to Alexander Inozemtsev, general designer of the Perm Aviadvigatel, the PD-14 should ensure the superiority of the MS-21 over the A320 and Boeing-737 aircraft and ensure parity with the engines that will be installed on the upgraded A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
“PD-14 is the first development in civil engine building at the highest level in 20 years. And we had to master the production technology from scratch. We may not be ahead of everyone on the planet, for example, titanium blades are already being made abroad, but it is important that we ourselves have learned to do this no worse than our competitors,” says Oleg Panteleev.
A technical feature of the PD-14 is the use of a unified compact gas generator, which makes it possible to create a whole family of aircraft engines with a thrust of 12.5 to 18 tons and industrial gas turbine units (GTP). This means that the PD-14 can be used in various types of passenger and transport aircraft. That is, in the future, a modern and completely domestic engine should receive not only the MS-21, but also the same SSJ 100, and even Russian helicopters.Firm Orders
The success of the liner is traditionally determined at the stage of its development, before the actual release from the assembly line. And the main criterion for success is the number of firm contracts concluded. And success in the world market is ensured by orders from foreign companies. At the moment, there are firm orders for 175 MS-21s and another 100 options. Among the operators are the Russian Aeroflot and UTair and Red Wings. So far, of course, demand comes from Russian companies, although foreign customers are also appearing. In November 2015, the Egyptian airline Cairo Aviation (a subsidiary of KATO Investment) ordered six aircraft, plus an option for four more MC-21s. Among the potential buyers are Iranian airlines and the Tanzanian airline Air Tanzania.
“Negotiations with foreign suppliers are underway, however, deliveries abroad are impossible without the aircraft receiving European certification. And this will happen before the fourth quarter of 2018. And then the deliveries of aircraft to airlines will begin. And already, depending on the manufacturer meeting the deadlines and confirming the characteristics, it will be possible to count on overseas markets”, - says the director of Avia.ru Roman Gusarov.
He is confident that the planned production volumes - 70 aircraft per year by 2023 - will be fully purchased, including by foreign airlines. At the same time, half of the aircraft can be used to cover the needs of the domestic market. Panteleev also has no doubts about the commercial success of the MS-21, if, of course, it successfully passes all the tests and confirms the declared characteristics.
MS-21 is a medium-haul aircraft, and this class is the most popular not only in Russia, but throughout the world. According to manufacturers' estimates, worldwide demand for it exceeds 20,000 aircraft. If Russia sells 1,000 such aircraft, then this will be the fulfillment of the maximum program for it. At the same time, for the world market, 1000 aircraft is only 5%, Panteleev notes.
As for Boeing and Airbus, nothing threatens the success of their modernized aircraft, given the volumes already contracted. Therefore, it is Russian and Chinese aircraft that will have to fight for a place in the world market.
“Aircraft of this dimension is a huge market, and it continues to grow, therefore, in principle, both Irkut and Chinese liner, - says Panteleev. - All airlines operating aircraft of this size - and there are more than 350 of them in the world - are interested in the emergence of a third manufacturer that will break the existing monopoly. And if this manufacturer offers a good product, then he will improve the situation on the market and take his piece of the pie.
And the Russian liner has a higher chance of conquering foreign markets than the Chinese rival.
“The C919 will use the same CFM International LEAP engines as the A320 and B737. This is the newest generation. MS-21 will also have an engine newest generation. But the Chinese use traditional material in the fuselage, and they have a metal wing. Therefore, the MS-21 will have a lighter wing and higher aerodynamic characteristics,” says Panteleev.
In terms of comfort or aircraft turnover, the C919 doesn't offer any superiority either, because the fuselage volume is only 1cm larger than the A320. Comfort MS-21 promises much higher than the Chinese rival.
However, the MS-21 still has to go through the most important and unpredictable stage - flight and other tests, confirmation of all characteristics and certification. “The moment of truth is coming - what was calculated on paper and made in metal will need to be confirmed in the sky,” says Roman Gusarov.