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The Irkut MC-21 is a Russian single-aisle twinjet airliner, developed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau and produced by Irkut, both within United Aircraft Corporation. The initial design started in 2006 and detailed design was ongoing in 2011, after delaying introduction from 2012 to 2020, the first 300 rolled-out on 8 June 2016. It has a carbon fiber reinforced polymer wing and is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1000G or Aviadvigatel PD-14 turbofans. With a capacity of 132-163 passengers in two class, up to 165-211 and up to 6,000–6,400 km (3,200–3,500 nmi) range, the standard -300 will be followed by a shortened -200. It has 175 orders as of June 2016.
In 2013, Russian deputy premier Dmitry Rogozin indicated that it will be designated Yak-242 once it enters serial production. In Russian: "Magistralny Samolyot 21 veka" translates as "mainline aircraft of the 21st century". It was called MS-21 before June 2013, but its official name is MC-21.
In 2006, United Aircraft design goal was to seat 130-170 passengers over 5,000–6,350 km (2,700–3,430 nmi) to replace aging Tu-154, 20%-25% more efficiently than the Airbus A320neo and Boeing B737NG competitors with 15% lower weight, 20% lower operating costs and 15% lower fuel consumption, it was due to enter service in 2012 for an initial target price of US$35 million, $20 million below the similar Boeing 737-700. The program was launched in 2007, planning a 2016 introduction. Those goals were reiterated in 2008, except for the general efficiency gain lowered to 10–15%.
In 2009, the MC-21 was in the "pre-design" phase, with projected completion of the first prototype in 2013 and the first flight in 2014. By June 2011, the "pre-design" phase was completed and the "working design" stage was under way with three-dimensional models and drawings for subcontractors and suppliers, to be completed by mid-2012. In February 2012, Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin announced it was slated to begin certification tests in 2015/2016 and to enter production in 2020.
On 8 June 2016, the -300 was rolled-out in Irkutsk, East Siberia, six years after program launch and with 175 orders. It could be the first commercial aircraft with an out of autoclave composite manufacturing for its wings. The program faces domination of the single-aisle market by Airbus and Boeing and Russian protectionism hampering critical western suppliers for the avionics, landing gear, hydraulics, power systems and engines. Its introduction was delayed to the end of 2018. It is intended to rival the Airbus A320neo or Boeing 737 MAX and will replace the outgoing Tu-134, Tu-154, Tu-204 and Yak-42.
In February 2017, it passed 90% of the static ultimate load test (150% of the highest load in operation) at the TsAGI but failed the 100% test for which the wingbox will need 25kg reinforcements: this is common for new airliners like the Airbus A380, Boeing 787 or Mitsubishi MRJ, aiming for the smallest possible margin to avoid excess weight; it passed the limit load test (highest load during flight) which enables flight testing which should start in April. In May 2017, it was undergoing systems ground testing including its auxiliary power unit and taxiing tests. Cracks developed at the point of contact between the titanium beam and the composite wing skin in the wingbox.
After completing taxi and runway roll tests, its maiden flight was scheduled for late May 2017 with Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engines, certified in September 2016 in Russia. The Russian certification is targeted for 2018 and the European Aviation Safety Agency certificate for 2019. On 28 May 2017 MC-21 made its successful maiden flight in Irkutsk. Compared with recent 3-4 hour maiden flights of western types, as this first flight was brief at 30-minute and low, reaching a 1,000 m altitude and 300 km/hour, it suggests severe limitations or an incident happened resulting in coming back early. The maiden flight was originally scheduled for December 2016, then to April and finally to late May.
Following this maiden flight, trade and industry minister Denis Manturov claims it will have 12-15% lower operating costs than contemporaries, generating a demand for over 1,000 MC-21s between 2017 and 2037. Aeroflot expects delivery of the first aircraft through Rostec subsidiary Aviakapital leasing in 2019.
The design is based on the never-realized, twin-engine Yakovlev Yak-242 as a development of the three-engine Yakovlev Yak-42.
Airframe
In March 2008, Sukhoi was selected to design and produce the carbon fiber composite wings. The UAC subsidiary AeroComposit developed the vacuum infusion to produce the wingbox and wing panels. The vertical and horizontal fins and wingbox are also composite and the high aspect ratio wing is a supercritical airfoil.
The initial design was including ~33% composite materials, increasing to 40–45% with the composite wing. The MC-21 is a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a composite structure, a tricycle landing gear and is powered by two wing-mounted turbofan engines. The 3.81m wide cabin has wider luggage racks than comparable aircraft types.
Engines
The 30,000 lbf (130 kN) thrust class Pratt & Whitney PW1000G was selected in December 2009. The Russian engine will be the 8–16 tf (18,000–35,000 lbf) Aviadvigatel PD-14. Its certification is slated for 2018.
Systems
In August 2009, Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies, announced it will provide electric power generation and distribution equipment for $2.3 billion over 20 years of production. Rockwell Collins and its Russian partner Avionika were selected to supply the MC-21's avionics. Honeywell, Thales and Elbit Systems supplies avionics with 9 X 12 in multifunction displays, electronic flight bags, synthetic vision and enhanced vision systems The MC-21 will be the first airliner with active sidesticks, supplied by UTC Aerospace Systems. It has a glass cockpit with side-stick controls and an optional Head-up display.
Goodrich Corporation, also a subsidiary of United Technologies, along with Aviapribor was selected to provide the flight control system actuators. Zodiac Aerospace, Eaton and Meggitt provide other components. Interior furnishings will come from Zodiac Aerospace, coordinated from C&D Zodiac in Huntington Beach, California. Innovations from Zodiac Aerospace in Carson, California, will be incorporated in the water and waste systems.
In 2009, the MS-21-200 was designed around 150 passengers in single-class configuration, to be followed by a 181-seat -300 and 212-seat -400 with basic and extended-range models, plus a very-long-range MS-21-200LR.
Initially a 132-seats MC-21-100 variant was planned but then superseded by the Superjet 100 development. The small variant with a capacity of 130- to 150-seat was proposed with commonality with the Sukhoi Superjet 130.
UAC considers developments by 2035 : a -400 with 18 tf (40,000 lbf) engines for a 105 t (231,000 lb) MTOW, a -500, a -600 with 20–25 tf (44,000–55,000 lbf) engines and a -700 with 30 tf (66,000 lbf) engines, as well as MC-21X with a 155 t (342,000 lb) tons MTOW for a 9,000–10,000 km (4,900–5,400 nmi) km range. Cargo and business variants are also being considered.
— — — = = — — —
Variant | MC-21-200 | MC-21-300 | |
---|---|---|---|
Cockpit crew | Two | ||
2-class seats | 132 (12J + 120Y) | 163 (16J + 147Y) | |
1-class seats | 165 @ 29-28" | 211 @ 29-28" | |
Cargo capacity | 34 m³ (1,200 cu ft) | 49 m³ (1,700 cu ft) | |
Length | 36.8 m (121 ft) | 42.2 m (138 ft) | |
Wingspan | 35.9 m (118 ft) | ||
Height | 11.5 m (38 ft) | ||
Fuselage width | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) | ||
Cabin width | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) | ||
Max take-off weight | 72,560 kg (159,970 lb) | 79,250 kg (174,720 lb) | |
Max landing weight | 63,100 kg (139,100 lb) | 69,100 kg (152,300 lb) | |
Maximum payload | 18,900 kg (41,700 lb) | 22,600 kg (49,800 lb) | |
Fuel capacity | 20,400 kg (45,000 lb) | ||
Turbofans (x 2) | Aviadvigatel PD-14 / Pratt & Whitney PW1400G | ||
Max. thrust (x 2) | PW1428G: |
PW1431G: 31,000 lbf (140 kN) |
|
2-class range | 6,400 km (3,500 nmi) | 6,000 km (3,200 nmi) |
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