Irkut MS-21: the plane that wants to compete with Airbus and Boeing

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Today we present the Irkut MS-21, the Russian plane that wants to compete head-on with Airbus and Boeing in a corridor segment. Photos press Irkut

Post written by: Captain Rudolph Star
FAA Commercial Pilot
Twitter: @rodo_estrella

The day of Christmas from 2021, without much pomp or recognition on this side of the world, made the first flight the Irkut MS-21-300, the new passenger plane 100% Russian that is projected as the new standard of aviation in Russia. Although in 2017 a prototype of the plane flew for the first time already, this was not 100% Russian and had an American power plant.

This is the Irkut MS-21

Although on the western side it is known as MC-21, it is actually MS-21 since in Russian the C is the S in our language, the MS-21 (Trunk Plane 21 century") the translated: Airliner of the Century 21. It is a project developed by the Russian aeronautical conglomerate UAC (United Aircraft Corporation), whose origin and design originate from the Yakovlev Design Bureau, the famous builder of civil and military aircraft dating back to the early years 20 of the last century with its famous Yak planes and the Irkut Aeronautical Corporation.

as background, after the relative success on the Russian domestic market of the Sukhoi Superjet SSJ100 (The first civil project of the UAC), the russian aircraft industry, decides to enter the market for narrow-body, single-aisle aircraft capable of competing with the Boeing 737, al Airbus A320, and the similar yet to enter service, the Chinese COMAC C-919.

Design

The MS-21 design is one of the most advanced currently, with a fuselage built in almost a 40% in carbon fiber and airfoils 100% made of this material, they are also a milestone in Russian industry, and are one of the main characteristics of the new aircraft.

It has the most spacious fuselage in its class, since the design was focused on comfort and space that passengers will enjoy, enjoying a width between 10 and 30 centimeters more than its competitors. The classic 3X3 seating configuration is maintained.

cockpit

cockpit, developed jointly between the Russian company Avionika and the American Rockwell-Collins make it a very modern and advanced cabin, comparable to that of its peers Airbus and Boeing. With 5 liquid crystal screens and two side screens as an "Electronic Flight Bag" for pilots, some avionics components, are supplied by Honeywell and Thales Aerosystems. Additionally HUD viewers can also be installed. This will be the first Russian aircraft whose control will be carried out using lateral Sidesticks as in the Airbus.

engines

The power plant of the MS-21, initially and in the prototype that first took flight in 2017, They are Pratt engines. & Whitney PW1400G de 30.000 pounds of thrust and also offers the alternative of being equipped with the new and revolutionary Russian Aviadvigatel PD-14 engines of 35.000 pounds of thrust. In this way, different types of motors and prices can be offered according to the needs of the client..

The Aviadvigatel PD-14 engine, which year was certified 2021, is another of the milestones of Russian aviation, developed by the successor of the old Shvetsov producer of piston engines like those of the venerable Antonov An-2 and later the Soloviev producer of engines like those of the Tupolev 154. Aviadvigatel has been upgraded to offer a modern and efficient powerplant for the MS-21.

The PD-14 is a fifth-generation advanced high-bypass type turbofan engine that takes advantage of the benefits of components that Russia possesses in large quantities, such as titanium., have also been developed 20 types of new materials and the light and resistant properties of alloys of other metals and ceramics have also been used, which has made it possible for the Aviadvigatel engineers to achieve that, together with the very advanced aerodynamics of the plane, a reduction in fuel consumption between 10 and 16% compared to similar engine manufacturers as CFM as well as a drastic emission reduction of around 30%. It is expected that derivatives of the PD-14 can additionally repower other aircraft of the Russian industry such as the Ilyushin IL-76., the Tupolev TU-204, and the Antonov AN-124.

A very curious fact about the certification of this new, reliable and powerful engine, is that as a result of rash of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland in the year 2010 which caused the closure of the airspace of a large part of Europe, Unprecedented engine tests have been conducted under flight conditions in real volcanic ash, what is usually a catastrophic condition for aircraft engines.

Yes OK, the UAC conglomerate – Irkut who are the manufacturers, eventually they have a product that will be a flagship in Russia, they have a great challenge in achieving what the Sukhoi Superjet SSJ100 did not achieve, this is to enter the market outside of Russia (beyond what Interjet was in Mexico) despite the economic sanctions that have been applied to Russia by European countries and USA as a result of the always delicate tensions that have existed with Ukraine since 2014.

For this, It is not only necessary to offer a great product at a good price, but also to improve the aspect where Russia has always failed in its entire industry and that is customer service and post-sale..

The MS-21 should come with a long line of additional products and services to keep the aircraft's operating costs low and attractive., spare parts supplies, maintenance centers, Training and various services must come hand in hand with the aircraft so that potential customers can support their fleets at a low cost and without the need to go to Russia for services or wait for spare parts from such a distant place..

It is very likely that the MS-21 and its variants, arrive at a very attractive price, but everything that surrounds the operation of the plane must be seen as a whole, We will see if Russia has learned from its mistakes and eventually its industry really manages to reach highly competitive western markets where a new option, if viable, could obtain great benefits..

For now, in the local market, the UAC has already had firm close to 200 requests, mostly from Russian operators and from nearby countries such as Azerbaijan.

Comparison with Airbus, Boeing y COMAC

Do you think this plane will revolutionize the Russian airline industry? we read them…

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