RUSSIAN

HELICOPTERS
OBORONPROM group
june 2009 • Special edition for Paris AIr Show 2009

MIL MOSCOW KAMOV ULAN UDE KAZAN ROSTVERTOL KUMERTAU “PROGRESS” ARSENIEV “VPERED” MOSCOW STUPINO MACHINE-BUILDING NOVOSIBIRSK R.E.T. KRONSTADT HELICOPTER
HELICOPTER PLANT AVIATION PLANT HELICOPTER PLANT AVIATION PLANT AIRCRAFT COMPANY MACHINE-BUILDING
PLANT
PRODUCTION ENTERPRISE AIRCRAFT REPAIR
AND OVERHAUL PLANT
SERVICE COMPANY
Russian Air Power
on display at Kubinka
and over the Red square
[p.40, 46]

advertising
SaM146
undergoing
certification
[p.26]

SUKHOI
Cutting-edge
SUPERJET 100
OBORONPROM United Industrial Corporation OJSC avionics from Ryazan debuts at Le Bourget
27, Stromynka str., Moscow, 107076, Russia [p.34] [p.18]
e-mail: oboronprom@[Link]
[Link]

Russia’s helicopter industry: results and prospects [p.8]

 june 2009
Editor-in-Chief
Andrey Fomin

Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Vladimir Shcherbakov
Editor
Yevgeny Yerokhin
Columnist
Alexander Velovich

Special correspondents
Alexey Mikheyev, Vladimir Karnozov,
Victor Drushlyakov, Andrey Zinchuk, Valery Ageyev, Dear reader,
Alina Chernoivanova, Natalya Pechorina,
Marina Lystseva, Dmirty Pichugin, Sergey Krivchikov, You are holding another issue of the Take-Off magazine, the special
Sergey Popsuyevich, Piotr Butowski, supplement to Russian monthly aerospace magazine Vzlet, timed to the
Alexander Mladenov, Miroslav Gyurosi air show in Le Bourget. This time, the show is to take place for the 48th
time and celebrates its centenary. The event is considered the most
Design and pre-press
Grigory Butrin authoritative and prestigious display of the latest achievements of the
world’s aerospace industry, with virtually all aircraft manufacturers being
Web support eager to participate in the show. By tradition, the Le Bourget air show
Georgy Fedoseyev has been held in high esteem by Russian aerospace companies. It is
Translation here that advanced Russian planes and helicopters are usually shown
Yevgeny Ozhogin abroad for the first time. This year there is another kind of jubilee of the
Le Bourget air show in this regard – 20 years since Russia has begun
Cover picture displaying its combat aircraft here in 1989.
Alexey Mikheyev
The Le Bourget air show is regarded as an excellent place to bolster
international aerospace cooperation. A graphic example of such
Publisher cooperation is the Sukhoi SuperJet 100 prospective regional airliner
programme pursued by a close-knot team of Russian, French, US and
several other foreign companies. This year Sukhoi SuperJet 100 makes
its international debut at Le Bourget and is going to become one of the
Director General main attractions of the show. One of the two SSJ100 flying prototypes
Andrey Fomin now undergoing certification programme participates in the flight display
at Le Bourget this year. Very soon two more prototypes will join the tests
Deputy Director General
Nadezhda Kashirina and by the end of the year the first production SuperJets are expected
to be delivered to their launch customers.
Marketing Director The whole Sukhoi SuperJet 100 programme and its components,
George Smirnov particularly Snecma/Saturn SaM146 Russo-French programme for
development of modern turbofan engine for SSJ100 are the best
Director for international projects examples of growing mutually beneficial international cooperation with
Alexander Velovich participation of Russian aerospace companies. That is why SuperJet
and its engines will be in the centre of attention during this show, and
therefore central topics in this issue are dedicated to them.
News items for “In Brief” columns are prepared by editorial As usual, Take-Off offers you also a brief review of the other recent
staff based on reports of our special correspondents, press most important events in the Russian aerospace industry, commercial
releases of production companies as well as by using information and military aviation.
distributed by ITAR-TASS, ARMS-TASS, Interfax-AVN, RIA Novosti, I wish all the participants and visitors of this jubilee air show in Le
RBC news agencies and published at [Link], [Link], Bourget interesting meetings, useful contacts and lucrative contracts
[Link], [Link] web sites and, of course, the pleasure of unforgettable demonstration flights of
Items in the magazine placed on this colour background or supplied planes and helicopters from all over the world.
with a note “Commercial” are published on a commercial basis.
Editorial staff does not bear responsibility for the contents of such items. Sincerely,

The magazine is registered by the Federal Service for supervision of

observation of legislation in the sphere of mass media and protection
of cultural heritage of the Russian Federation. Registration certificate
Andrey Fomin
PI FS77-19017 dated 29 November 2004 Editor-in-chief
Take-Off magazine
© Aeromedia, 2009

P.O. Box 7, Moscow, 125475, Russia

Tel. +7 (495) 644-17-33, 798-81-19
Fax +7 (495) 644-17-33
E-mail: info@[Link]
[Link]
contents

INDUSTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Russian An-148 soon to come Tu-214 may fly farther now First Ulyanovsk-built Il-76 to be
completed in 2010 Russian high-speed helicopter may fly in 2016

June 2009 Russian helicopter industry

2008 performance and new targets
According to the early-March news release by the Russian Helicopters JSC, the helicopter industry of
Russia made 169 machines last year, having a 59% increase over 2007. Upwards of 85% falls on Mi-8
8 family machines (55 were made in Kazan and 59 in Ulan-Ude), with the remainder falling on the Mi-28N
and Mi-35M combat helicopters as well as Ka-32 transport machines. As usual, most of these helicopters
were exported, but the number of machines built for Russian customers has grown for the first time in
recent years. In particular, 2008 witnessed Rostvertol produce the first seven production Mi-28Ns for the
Russian Air Force and the Progress plant in Arsenyev kick-start the Ka-52 production programme, with
the Mi-8MTV-5 and Mi-171 utility helicopter production for the Russian Armed Forces and commercial
operators picking up as well.

CIVIL AVIATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Customers taking delivery of new Tu-204s Two new Il-96s delivered

Sukhoi SuperJet 100 debuts in Le Bourget

A key, most interesting full-scale exhibit of the current air show in Le Bourget, probably, will be the prototype of
the advanced Sukhoi SuperJet 100 regional airliner. Displaying the SuperJet in Paris is the international debut of
the cutting-edge Russian airliner being developed in cooperation with numerous foreign major manufacturers of
aircraft, engines, avionics and other components from Italy, France, the United States, Germany and other countries.
SSJ100 prototypes are undergoing a certification tests programme planned to wrap up by the year-end when the
18 early production SuperJets are to be shipped to the launch customers. Overall, the developer has landed 98 firm
orders from Russian and foreign air carriers.

SaM146 undergoing certification

The tests of the advanced SaM146 turbofan engine under co-development by Russia’s NPO Saturn and French
26 Snecma to fit the Sukhoi SuperJet 100 are under way. Overall, to complete the certification programme, 17 engines
have to be made, of which 10 have been made and undergoing testing, including four on board two SSJ100
prototypes. Take-off’s correspondent visited NPO Saturn and made sure that the SaM146 construction and tests are
on schedule and the company remains poised to obtain the type certificate in the fourth quarter of the year.

CONTRACTS AND DELIVERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

MMRCA tender: on the verge of competitive tests AL-55I kicks off flight tests on board HJT-36
India at fourth stage of Su-30MKI licence production Russian-Indian fifth generation First A-50EI
delivered to India Vietnam to receive eight more Su-30MK2s Antonov offers patrol variant of
An-74

Cutting-edge avionics made in Ryazan

Today, the Ryazan Instrument Plant is the Russian leader in production of avionics for up-to-date fixed-wing and
rotary-wing aircraft. A scientific and technological centre and a video computer technology scientific and design
34 centre have been set up by the plant to provide support to operation of its production equipment and development
of units and assemblies for use in avionics systems and ground hardware.

MILITARY AVIATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
MiG-29SMT already in service with RusAF Air Force receives Su-34s Debut of antitank air-
borne Hermes-A Su-35 to entry market in 2011 First production Yak-130 taking to the skies

Russia’s air power has been shown to president

Such an abundance of advanced aircraft has not been seen at Kubinka air force base in the Moscow Region for
a long time. About 20 warplanes and around 10 helicopters – both those in service with the Air Force and those
40 earmarked for service entry – assembled here late in March. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian
Armed Forces – President Dmitry Medvedev – was anticipated at the demonstration facility of the RusAF’s Aircraft
Demonstration Centre on 28 March. Virtually all types of advanced and upgraded Russian fixed-wing and rotary-wing
aircraft along with their weapons had been shown to the president at the ramp and in hangars.

Moscow, Red Square, 9 May 2009

The 64th anniversary of the Victory Day was celebrated this year with a grandiose military parade in Moscow’s Red
Square and in the sky over it on 9 May. This time, 69 aircraft took part in the aviation segment of the parade – twice
as many as last year. All types of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft in service with the Russian Air Force flew in
46 formation over Moscow, including the newest ones that had started entering service not long before that. Compared
with last year’s parade, the number of helicopters participating in the event grew considerably – from three to 17,
while the number of warplanes hiked from 29 to 52.

2 take-off june 2009 [Link]

MIG 70 YEARS
OF EXCELLENCE

Russian Aircraft Corporation “MiG”

Bld. 7, 1st Botkinsky proyezd, Moscow, 125284, Russia
Tel.: +7 (499) 795 8010
Fax: +7 (495) 653 1447
[Link]
industry | news

in brief
III
Russian An-148 soon to come
The first prototype of the
advanced Ilyushin Il-112V
light tactical airlifter is to be
made by the VASO plant in
Voronezh next year, according
to Victor Livanov, Director
General and Designer General,
Ilyushin, and Director
General, UAC – Transport
Aircraft, who spoke with a
Take-off correspondent. In
the near future, the three-year
governmental contract is to
be awarded for R&D on the
Il-112V, under which four
prototypes of the type are to
be manufactured. Two of them
will undergo flight tests, the
third one – static tests and the
fourth one – endurance tests.

Andrey Fomin
The first Il-112V may fly for
the first time in January or
February 2011. According to
Victor Livanov, the Il-112V
programme has been made part In the final assembly shop of the The estimated date for the sec- airline and 10 An-148-100Bs to
of the governmental armament Voronezh-based VASO plant, the ond VASO-made An-148 to begin Moskovia, which are to be finalised
acquisition programme, with manufacture of the first produc- its tests is late July. Several more during 2010–2013. Talks are under
the Russian Defence Ministry tion Antonov An-148-100B aircraft aircraft of the type are undergoing way with several other customers.
planning to buy “more than a
(c/n 40-03) is nearing the end and aggregate assembling now. All contracts on Russian-made
hundred” aircraft of the type
until 2020. the work on the second aircraft In all, UAC’s production plan An-148s are implemented via IFC
(c/n 40-04) is in full swing. This sum- provides for four An-148s to be leasing company.
III mer, both planes are to start their built by VASO this year. The output In the future, the An-148 is to
Alexander Inozemtsev, factory tests and then be delivered to may increase to eight units in 2010; become of VASO’s priorities, due
Designer General, Aviadvigatel,
the customer, the Rossiya airline that the plant will be able to make an to which UAC is investing heavily
and Deputy Designer General,
United Engine Corporation is launching the replacement of its aircraft a month in 2011 and 20 in the renovation of VASO’s produc-
(UEC), was appointed director obsolete Tupolev Tu-134 fleet. planes a year starting from 2012. tion facilities. Over the past year
and chief designer of the By late April, the first Russian-built So, under the recent UAC’s plan, and a half, UAC has invested in
Family of New-Generation An-148 had been fitted with the VASO will produce 44 An-148s in VASO a total of 6.9 billion rubles
Engines with the 9–18 tonne engines, auxiliary power unit, most 2009–2012. (around $230 million), of which
thrust programme (a.k.a. of the harness, tubes and systems. The first six production 3.3 billion (about $110 million) have
PD 9–18) on 19 March. In May, the work on its hydraulic An-148-100Bs are designed for fallen on the An-148 construction
“The business concept of the
system was finalised, avionics con- Rossiya airline under the firm order programme. In 2009, the funding
programme boils down to
seeking commonised design nected, power supply tested, cabin (plus six options) signed with the of VASO’s operations and An-148
and production technology completed, etc. If all goes to plan, participation of the Ilyushin Finance full-rate production by UAC is to
solutions to develop a baseline aircraft 40-03 is to kick off its flight Co. (IFC). Then, there will be deliver- account for 7.5 billion rubles (about
engine with a wide range of tests and may be delivered in July. ies of 10 An-148-100Es to the Polyot $230 million). A.F.
power and thrust, which is to
respond to the fluid market
situation quickly and at
minimal cost. UEC’s decision
to vest the development of
its new-generation engine in
the Aviadvigatel company in
Perm is a solid appraisal of
the company’s capabilities”,
Inozemtsev told Take-off.
The engines of the PD 9–18
family are to power the Irkut/
Yakovlev MS-21 prospective
short/medium-haul airliner,
Ilyushin/HAL MTA prospective
Andrey Fomin

medium transport aircraft and

other future planes.

4 take-off june 2009 [Link]

MAINLINE JET FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
SUPPORTED BY THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT

MC-21 is a family of short/medium range airliners

with passenger carrying capacity of 150-210.
MC-21 is being developed by the Irkut Corporation jointly with Russia’s leading
design bureaus and foreign suppliers.
MC-21 surpasses all modern airliners featuring minimum cash operating
cost, ultimate comfort and safety and meeting highest environmental
requirements.

address: 68, Leningradsky prospect, Moscow, 125315, Russia

phone / fax: (+7 495) 777-21-01
e-mail: inbox@[Link] [Link]
industry | news

Tu-214 may fly farther now

On 4 March, the Tupolev joint
stock company received the
addendum to Type Certificate
CT196-Tu-214/D11 for the stand-
ard design of the Tu-214 aircraft,
reflecting several modifications to
the baseline design. The modifica-
tions include additional fuel cells,
extra AC power supply systems
and alteration of the layout of
the flight deck and cabin. Owing
to the introduction of extra fuel
cells below the floor of the cabin,
the Tu-214 can now flight to a
distance in excess of 10,000 km,
while earlier the production Tu-214
had a maximal range of 7,200 km

Andrey Fomin
or less.
The improvements have
been implemented to Tu-214SR
(RA-64515) made last year by the
Kazan Aircraft Production Association According to Nazir Kireyev, an the class will be able to operate out (RA-64516). Both Tu-214SR
(KAPO) on order from the executive advisor to the Tatarstan prime to more than 10,000 km for the first aircraft were officially handed
office of the Russian president. The minister, speaking with the media time”. He explained that the plane’s over to the Russian presidential
aircraft conducted its first flight on on 16 March, the aircraft may be unrefuelled range allowed it to fly air detachment on 1 June. The
27 April 2008 and had completed handed off to the Russian presiden- non-stop from Moscow to New assembly of two next aircraft –
its certification test programme by tial air detachment for service, once York or Tokyo. Tu-214PU VIP variants (RA-64517
April 2009, which was confirmed by the trials have been complete. “Its Earlier this year, KAPO assem- and RA-64520) ordered by the
the addendum to its type certificate, flight performance is unrivalled”, bled and submitted for tests presidential executive office – is
issued to the developer. Nazir Kireyev said. “The aircraft in the second aircraft of the type underway. A.F.

First Ulyanovsk-built Il-76 Russian high-speed helicopter

to be completed in 2010 may fly in 2016
At the news conference on documentation is digitised to this Given the market demand, the designed to have the single-rotor
31 March, Aviastar-SP Director end. Therefore, the Il-76’s pro- Russian Helicopters joint stock and pusher propeller configuration,
General Mikhail Shushpanov ductionising by Aviastar-SP does company runs a research under is to have a maximum takeoff weight
said the productionising of the not provide for moving the rigging the future high-speed helicopter of 11 t and a payload of 4 t or 22–25
upgraded Ilyushin Il-76 transport from TAPC, rather a new aircraft is development programme. The news passengers. Its maximum speed may
aircraft (Project 476) was in full to be manufactured instead. was voiced at the HeliRussia 2009 be 520 km/h, cruising speed – 475
swing. The first aircraft designed According to Mikhail airshow held in Moscow late in km/h and range – up to 1,500 km.
for static and endurance tests is to Shushpanov, the contract on May. “For the first time, the future The Kamov company’s machine,
be assembled by Aviastar-SP next the first six production-standard high-speed helicopter programme which is to have the rigid-blade
year. The first flying prototype of upgraded aircraft under the Project was outlined at HeliRussia 2008”, coaxial main rotor and pusher
the upgraded Il-76 could be com- 476 to be made by Aviastar-SP is Russian Helicopters Director General propeller too, will be somewhat
pleted by mid-2010 also. slated for the signing this year. The Andrey Shibitov said. “The work larger with the 16 tonne takeoff
The Russian-made aircraft will order may be awarded by India, continues. This year, we have weight, up to 30 seats, 460 km/h
differ from the production Il-76TD/ with the deliveries being bale to determined the requirements to the maximal speed, 420 km/h cruising
MD made by the Tashkent Aircraft commence in 2011, according to project and the issues to be tackled speed and 1,400 km range.
Production Corp. (TAPC) in the Shushpanov. The Russian Defence in the run-up to the R&D phase. With Russian Helicopters is supposed
redesigned wing, up-to-date avion- Ministry is to become a major the sufficient governmental support, to have analysed the strengths and
ics suite and PS-90A-76 engines customer for the Aviastar-SP-built the high-speed helicopter is to take weaknesses of both programmes
already powering some of the Il-76 aircraft. According to Ilyushin to the sky in seven to ten year”. by late 2009 or early 2010 and
versions. The Il-76 production in Director General Victor Livanov, At present, two high-speed select a single future high-speed
Ulyanovsk will rely on the paper- about 38 aircraft are to be manu- helicopters – the Mil Mi-X1 helicopter configuration subject to
less technology lock, stock and factured for the Russian Air Force and Kamov Ka-92 – are under implementation under the Russian
barrel. All Project 476 technical until 2020. A.F. development in Russia. The former, helicopter-making programme. A.F.

6 take-off june 2009 [Link]

 industry | rewiew
Alexey Mikheyev

Andrey FOMIN

RUSSIAN HELICOPTER INDUSTRY

2008 performance and new targets
According to the early-March news other overhauled helicopters were the remainder falling on the Mi-28N
release by the Russian Helicopters included into the final report in this and Mi-35M combat helicopters as
JSC, the helicopter industry of Russia manner. well as Ka-32 transport machines. As
made 169 machines last year, having On the other hand, the official stats do usual, most of these helicopters were
exceeded the target output by 3 per not include the five prototype, prepro- exported, but the number of machines
cent – a 59-per cent increase over duction and production Kamov Ka-50 built for Russian customers has grown
2007. The number includes, how- and Ka-52 helicopters manufactured for the first time in recent years. In
ever, 24 previously built Mil Mi-2s last year, which have not been fielded particular, 2008 witnessed Rostvertol
overhauled in 2008, but the news with combat units, as well as two Mil produce the first seven production
release’s authors believe that “given Mi-26T heavy-lifters delivered in early Mi-28Ns for the Russian Air Force
the nature and amount of work done 2008. Thus, the total 2008 output of (RusAF) and the Progress plant in
by the Rostvertol JSC to upgrade new-built helicopters by the plants Arsenyev kick-start the Ka-52 produc-
24 Mi-2 light helicopters as well as of Russian Helicopters JSC is, actu- tion programme, with the Mi-8MTV-5
the restored service life of the struc- ally, a tad more than 130 units, of and Mi-171 utility helicopter produc-
tural components, the machines may which upwards of 85 per cent falls on tion for the Russian Armed Forces
well be referred to as newly-built”. Mi-8 family machines (55 were made and commercial operators picking up
To all appearances, about two dozen in Kazan and 59 in Ulan-Ude), with as well.

8 take-off june 2009 [Link]

 industry | rewiew

Combat helicopters regiment of the 4th Air Force and Air Defence addition, the manufacturer built the second
Last year, the Russian combat helicopter Army stationed in Budyonnovsk in the North Ka-52 two-seat helicopter prototype serialled
production milestones were the completion Caucasus Military District. 062 (it made its maiden flight on 27 June
of the official trials of the Mil Mi-28N attack By the way, it is the production Mi-28Ns 2008) and, in October, the next one with side
helicopter and wrapping-up of another phase serialled 01 and 02 that has taken part in the number 063. During 2009, plans provide for
of the official test programme of the Kamov recent aircraft demonstration to the Russian making three LRIP Ka-52s and launching
Ka-52. The results produced by the mile- president at Kubinka AFB and then flew their official joint test programme. The tri-
stones served the ground for taking the deci- together with the machine serialled 03 over als are to be completed and the launching of
sion on launching the full-rate production of Red Square at the Victory Day parade on 9 the full-scale production is to be given the
the Mi-28N by Rostvertol and fielding the May. According to the Kommersant, RusAF nod before the year-end. So far, the Russian
resultant machines as well as on making a has ordered 47 production Mi-28Ns that Defence Ministry is said to have planned to
low-rate initial production (LRIP) batch of could be fielded with the line units of the order 12 production-standard Ka-52s (the
Ka-52 by the Progress plant in Arsenyev. North Caucasus Military District in a few Red Star daily reported that on 31 December
In earlier 2008, Rostvertol delivered the year. The total Russian Armed Forces require- 2008, quoting RusAF commander Col-Gen.
first four production-standard Mi-28Ns seri- ment for the Mi-28N is estimated at about 300 Alexander Zelin as speaking to this effect),
alled 41, 42, 43 and 44 to the Army Aviation aircraft. In addition, talks on export deliveries while the Kommersant on 30 October 2008
Combat and Conversion Training Centre of helicopters of the type are underway with wrote about a contract between Progress and
(CCTC) in the town of Torzhok. Then, the several countries. The most probable foreign the Defence Ministry for “up to 30 Ka-52s”,
manufacturer started making the machines of launch customers for the Mi-28NE include
the type for combat units. The first three of Venezuela and Algeria, the Kommersant
the latter helicopters (side numbers 01, 02 and reported.
03) had been complete by the end of 2008, According to Arsenyev-based Progress
but left the factory airfield as late as March company Director General Yuri Denisenko,
this year. The Kommersant daily reported on the plant assembled in 2008 three last produc-
21 April that Rostvertol had completed the tion Ka-50 single-seat helicopters out of the
delivery of the whole of the first six-ship batch remaining backlog, with one of them deliv-
of Mi-28Ns to RusAF, with the machines ered to CCTC in Torzhok and the delivery

Alexey Mikheyev
to be headed for an independent helicopter of the remaining two put off until 2009. In

One of the last production Kamov Ka-50

single-seat combat helicopters assembled
at Progress plant last year (seen here flying)
and the first pre-production Ka-52 built here
in the Autumn (on the ground). The second
Ka-52 prototype (side number 062) build by
Progress plant in summer 2008 is shown
flying at the right
Alexey Mikheyev

Left: a pair of Mil Mi-28N combat helicopters

from the first production batch built at Rostvertol
in 2008 for the RusAF delivery

[Link] take-off june 2009 9

 industry | rewiew

Venezuelan Army Aviation’s Mil Mi-35M. Early

last year Rostvertol delivered the final two of
ten Mi-35M helicopters ordered by Venezuela
in 2006
Rostvertol

referring to Progress Director General Yuri

Denisenko as its source. In addition, the RIA
Novosti news agency reports that three foreign
countries, among them Libya, showed their
interest in acquiring the Ka-52.
According to the official statistics of Russian
Helicopters JSC, Rostvertol manufactured
20 Mi-28Ns and Mi-24s (Mi-35s) in 2008. If
seven of them are brand-new Mi-28Ns, the
remaining 13 must be the machines of the
Mi-24 family. The two last Mi-35s are known
to have been shipped to Venezuela in the
January of last year under the current contract
for 10 aircraft, with the first eight delivered in
two batches in July and December 2006). In
addition, the Arms Export magazine reports
that Rostvertol upgraded four Mi-24Vs of the
Kazakh Defence Ministry in 2008.
Last summer, many Russian news agencies
The first Mi-26TC in China. Last year this
reported the then upcoming shipping of six
Rostvertol

helicopter delivered by Rostvertol

Mi-35Ms to Indonesia, but judging by the in September 2007 became Chinese property
lack of the fact of delivery, an error was made,
probably, and the news agencies meant the
six Mi-17V-5 utility helicopters delivered to was overhauling and upgrading during 2008, 2006 contract for three Mi-26Ts are known
Indonesia in summer 2008. Just like in case were included into the overall statistics. Most to have been shipped to Venezuela in the
with the Mi-2, it is possible that the earli- probably, the company will continue this work February of last year, with the first aircraft
er-built Mi-24s (Mi-35s), which Rostvertol in future. At the same time, the construction made in February 2006 and delivered late in
Russian helicopter output in 2007–2008 of new Mi-35Ms under export contracts will December same year. Most likely, both of the
(official data provided by Russian Helicopters JSC)* carry on in Rostov. In November last year, last two machines were completed in 2007.
Manufacturer Type 2007 2008 the news came of a contract on 12 Mi-35M In May last year, China assumed the own-
Kazan Helicopters
Mi-8MTV, Mi-17V-5,
55
helicopters signed with Brazil. This will be ership of the Mi-26TC delivered in September
Mi-172 83 the pioneer deal on Russian military aircraft 2007 under a 2006 leasing deal. Inspired with
UUAP Mi-8AMT, Mi-171 59 export to Brazil. The first Mi-35 shipment is the successful employment of the Mi-26TC as
Mi-28N – slated for late 2009. part of the disaster relief operation in Sichuan
20
Rostvertol Mi-24, Mi-35 8 province in the wake of the earthquake, the
Mi-2 – 24 Heavy-lift helicopters Chinese authorities signed on 26 May 2008
KumAPE Ka-27, Ka-32 11 11 The 2008 official statistics of Russian a contract on buying the machine, and a
Total 102 169 Helicopters JSC offers no data on Mi-26T contract for another Mi-26TC was made on
* The data include both brand-new production helicopters and heavylifters in production by Rostvertol. 4 November with the option for seven more
overhauled/upgraded ones.
However, the two last machines under the machines.

10 take-off june 2009 [Link]

 industry | rewiew

At the same time, Rostvertol carries on The largest order handled by Kazan In 2008, Kazan Helicopters delivered sev-
with overhauling previously built Mi-26s and Helicopters in 2008 was the delivery of 14 eral helicopters to domestic customers as well.
Mi-26Ts and developing the upgraded version Mi-17V-5s to Venezuela under a contract con- For instance, several new-built Mi-8MTV-5s
designated Mi-26T2 expected to be crewed cluded in 2006 (11 of the aircraft entered were received by RusAF and the air branch
by two and fitted with an advanced avionics service with the Venezuelan Army Aviation and of the Russian Ministry of Interior, two
suite. three with the Venezuelan Navy) as well as two Mi-8MTV-1s by the air arm of the Russian
VIP-version Mi-172s for the Venezuelan presi- Emergencies Ministry and two Mi-8MTV-1S
Medium transports of Mi-8 family dent. The initial Mi-17 delivery to Venezuela VIP machines by the Rossiya air carrier’s
According to the official statistics of took place in 2006 when six military Mi-17V-5s presidential air detachment.
Russian Helicopters, 114 Mil Mi-8 (Mi-17, and three civilian Mi-172s for natural disaster Probably, the largest export contract ful-
Mi-171, Mi-172) family machines were deliv- and emergency relief service arrived to the filled by UUAP in 2008 was the delivery of
ered in 2008, of which 55 were made by Kazan country. Another last year’s key order was Mi-171Sh utility choppers to the Croatian
Helicopters and 59 by the Ulan-Ude Aviation crowned by the delivery of six Mi-17V-5s to Air Force under the 2007 contract for 10 air-
Plant (UUAP). Indonesia in July 2008 under the deal struck in craft. The first two Mi-171Sh machines were
2005 with Indonesia’s Army Aviation adopt- shipped to the customer in December 2007.
ed the machines for service in August 2008. Last year, UUAP wrapped up the contract
Moreover, according to the Arms Export mag- by delivering the eight remaining helicopters
azine, five Mi-17V-5 helicopters were delivered to Croatia. Mongolia became a new cus-
to the Colombian Army Aviation in 2008. tomer of UUAP in 2008, with its air carrier
Several helicopters were sold to the United Mongolyn Alt taking delivery of a Mi-171S
States, with two Mi-172s registered with FAA VIP helicopter in March and its Air Force
in May 2008 and a Mi-17V-5 in July that getting a Mi-171 utility helicopter in August.
year. LLH Services, which took delivery of In addition, two Mi-171s were received by
five Mi-17V-5s from Kazan Helicopters in the Pakistani Counternarcotics Service in
2007–2008, was indicated as the owner. October 2008.

Alexey Mikheyev
Mil M-8MTV-5 utility helicopter from the
batch delivered by Kazan Helicopters to
Russian Air Force in 2008

UUAP’s major domestic order last year

was the contract it signed with the UTair
airline. Under the contract announced on
21 February 2008, UUAP shall deliver 40
Mi-171s, with 20 of them under initial firm
order. The deliveries began in the October
of last year with four Mi-171s came to the
carrier by the year end and five more in early
2009. A similar big-ticket order is planned to
be awarded to UUAP by the Gazpromavia
carrier that expects it will have bought up
to 46 Mi-171s until 2012. Another Russian
buyer of UUAP-built helicopters is the Alrosa
company that took delivery of two Mi-171S
helicopters in March and April 2008. Some
Kazan Helicopters

more Ulan-Ude-built Mi-8AMT and Mi-171

Venezuelan Army Aviation’s Mi-17V-5. Delivery of 14 helicopters were sold last year to other domes-
such machines to Venezuela became the biggest export
tic companies and organisations last year as
order of Kazan Helicopters in 2008
well.

[Link] take-off june 2009 11

 industry | rewiew
Mongolia became a new customer for
Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant last year. This
is the first Mi-171 delivered by UUAP to
Mongolyn Alt company in 2008

Kamov
UUAP

UUAP continues production of Mi-171 Top: Korea is still the biggest foreign customer
helicopters for Russian customers. This of Kamov Ka-32 coaxial transport helicopters.
Mi-171 was delivered in 2008 to Alrosa This Ka-32A11BC was delivered to HeliKorea
company company

Bottom: Russian paramilitary forces are now

the main customers of Kamov Ka-226 light
transports. A helicopter delivered to Russia’s
Federal Security Service air arm is shown here

Alexey Mikheyev
UUAP

The delivery to India of 80 Mi-17V-5s worth aviation department of Iran’s Red Crescent least four Ka-32A11BC transport helicopters
a total of about $1.2 billion is to become the organisation late in 2007 has started. Of the are known to have been built and exported.
most lucrative helicopter export deal clinched five Mi-171s ordered, the first two machines Two of them went to South Korea in the
last year. The contract was made in December have been shipped from Ulan-Ude to Iran in spring and the other two to Spanish company
2008 and the deliveries shall be from 2010 to February this year, with the remainder slated HeliSurEste in the autumn. Conceivably, the
2014. In addition, a huge number of Mi-17s for delivery this spring. Thailand is expected remaining seven helicopters in the official
may be acquired by the Afghan Armed Forces to present a new market for UUAP. According 2008 statistics were Ka-27, Ka-28 and Ka-32s
in future, according to the foreign media. For to Arms Export magazine, a contract on overhauled by KumAPE concurrently with
instance, according to the Jane’s Defence three Mi-171s was awarded by the country manufacturing the new aircraft.
Weekly report dated 18 December 2008, nine last year. The Kamov company is offering the
Mi-17V-5s are to be shipped to Afghanistan upgrade of the Ka-27 and Ka-27PS operated
already this year, with their Afghan fleet able Coaxial medium-class helicopters by the Russian Navy. Talks also are under way
to have grown to 37 by 2013 and to 59 by 2016. According to Russian Helicopters JSC, on upgrading the Ka-28 shipborne helicopters
The deal will be fulfilled with the United the output of Kamov Ka-27/28/32 family exported to India and China in the past. If
States as a middleman, and the participation accounted for 11 units in 2008. The Kumertau relevant contracts are signed, these efforts
of other intermediaries is a possibility too. Aviation Production Enterprise (KumAPE) may become an important component of the
Moreover, the RBC news agency reports that runs production of these helicopters, but no future production programmes of KumAPE
Egypt has ordered 14 Mi-17s. The implemen- new-built machines of the type were delivered and Kamov itself. In addition, it is possible
tation of the order awarded to UUAP by the to domestic users in 2008. At the same time, at that the Indian or some other navy could

12 take-off june 2009 [Link]

 industry | rewiew

of 3–3.5 t now in production in the country,

the Ka-226 and Ansat. At the same time,
there were several events last year, which were
important to both programmes.
The Ka-226 has been in production since
2000 by two manufacturers – Orenburg-based
Strela plant and KumAPE, the latter being
a Russian Helicopters JSC subsidiary. Strela
plant makes Allison-powered Ka-226AG for
the Gazpromavia air carrier (22 machines were
ordered initially, and a contract is to be modi-
fied for 40 units under the revised specifica-
tions in the near future) and Ka-226A for the
Russian Emergencies Ministry that ordered
five aircraft. KumAPE has been supplying
machines powered by the same powerplants
to the air arm of the Russian Federal Security
Service since 2006 and Russian Internal Affairs
Ministry since 2007. In September last year,
Strela plant delivered two new helicopters to
the Orenburg Regional Clinical Hospital for

Ansat-U trainer helicopter prototype. Kazan

Helicopters is to deliver six such machines
to RusAF in 2009
Kazan Helicopters

buy extra Ka-31 airborne early warning heli- The delivery of new-built Ka-32 transports use in the medical evacuation role in remote
copters. Such machines have been ordered to South Korea and European and other districts and one machine, while in November
by the Russian military as well, with the countries is certain to continue in the near KumAPE handed over one Ka-226 to the
official Russian Web site for making orders future. air detachment operating in support of the
[Link] reported in November police departments of St. Petersburg and the
2008 that KumAPE had come on top in the Multipurpose transport helicopters up to 4 t Leningrad Region.
competition for delivering two Ka-252RLD The 2008 statistics of Russian The recent decision by Russian Helicopters
radar picket helicopters to the Russian Helicopters JSC did not include both light JSC on developing the Ka-226T version fitted
Defence Ministry in 2009–2010. multipurpose helicopters with a takeoff weight by more powerful engines from French com-

[Link] take-off june 2009 13

 industry | rewiew

pany Turbomeca could give the future of the helicopter with the 4.5–6.5 tonne take-
helicopter a new twist. Russian Helicopters Advanced programmes off weight includes the Kamov Ka-62
and Turbomeca clinched the deal on the We have reviewed the key Russian hel- and Mil Mi-54 programmes. The Ka-62
development of the modified Arrius 2G1 tur- icopter-making programmes that were transport/passenger helicopter designed
boshaft engine to power the Ka-226T on 22 at the production stage in 2008. At the to seat 12–14 passengers or 2–2.7 tonnes
January 2009. The Ka-226T is to compete same time, Russian Helicopters is run- of cargo is being derived by Kamov from
in the Indian Defence Ministry tender for ning several other programmes that are the Ka-60 military prototype helicopter,
acquisition and licence production of 197 in different life-cycle phases – from which has been in the flight trials since
light multipurpose helicopters for its Army R&D to productionising. In the medium 1998, and its trainer variant Ka-60U that
Aviation and Air Force. KumAPE is going transport helicopter class, the Mil design completed its maiden flight in 2007. The
to launch the Ka-226T production in 2010 bureau continues to pursue the Mi-8M production Ka-62s that could appear after
or 2011. deep upgrade programme and develop the 2012 may be powered by both domes-
The Ansat has been in production by heavier Mi-38 with the 16 tonne takeoff tic-made RD-600V engines or Turbomeca
Kazan Helicopters since 2004. The first weight. The first Mi-38 prototype powered Ardiden 3G turboshafts from France. The
six production aircraft were exported to by Canadian-made PW127/5 engines has first Ka-62 prototype can be built by
South Korea, two delivered to the air arm been flight-tested since December 2003, the Progress plant in Arsenyev in 2010.
of the Russian Federal Security Service, with Kazan Helicopters completing the The Mi-54 transport/passenger helicopter
one more to Radar-MMS company and second flying prototype and manufacturing designed to carry 12 passengers or 1.5–1.7
one in medevac version – to Kazan air car- the third one. “The programme has been tonnes of cargo has been under develop-
rier. Some more Ansats were built on order dragging its feet due to the Pratt & Whitney ment by the Mil design bureau since the
form Laos and Kazakhstan but remaining Canada company that had not launched early 1990s. The machine is expected
at the factory so far. November 2008 saw on time the work stipulated by the agree- to be equipped with a pair of VK-800
the successful completion of the official ment on furnishing the helicopters with engines. Rostvertol may launch the pro-
test programme of the Ansat-U trainer PW127T/S turboshaft engines”, Russian duction of the Mi-54 after 2012.
version with the double set of controls, Helicopters stated on 13 April. For this In the light helicopter class, the strategy
which development had been ordered by reason, a decision has been taken fall back of Russian Helicopters makes provision for
the Russian Air Force. The variant was on “plan providing for fitting the Mi-38 resuming the production of the Mi-34 heli-
cleared for full-rate production and service with Russian-made TV7-117V engines”. copter with the 1.45 tonnes takeoff weight,
entry on 26 December 2008. The Russian Kazan Helicopters can launch the full-rate which was suspended in 2002. The upgrad-
Defence Ministry has ordered as many as production of the Mi-38 in 2014. ed piston-engine and new gas-turbine ver-
12 Ansat-Us, of which six are to be deliv- The product range of Russian Helicopters sions are slated to be built by Progress plant
ered to Air Force flying schools in 2009. in the class of multipurpose transport since 2011.

Russian Helicopters to take up UAVs

Late last year, the Russian Helicopters the problem has come to a head: such whole of the family – the design (units, The smallest of the Russian
joint stock company launched a very UAVs are in high demand with both assemblies, transport bays), system helicopter-type UAVs is to be
topical programme dubbed Unmanned commercial users and the military. (navigation, control) and payload the super-lightweight close-in
Helicopter Systems and designed to There are premises for financing as (surveillance or reconnaissance unmanned helicopter being
focus and regulate this segment of well. Several important steps have been equipment) commonality. The developed by the Russian
helicopter making. Programme taken under the programme. Under the commonality will be sought along Helicopters’ Engineering Innovation
Director Gennady Bebeshko, who had current classification, a model range two lines – civil applications (fuel and Centre. The UAV’s takeoff weight
headed the Unmanned Aircraft Combat has been devised to include four basic energy industry, pipelines) and military will be less than 4 kg. The aircraft
Employment Centre in Yegoryevsk, unmanned helicopter classes – the applications (Air Force, Navy, Army, will feature an unusual layout with
outlined at Take-off’s request the near close-in, short-range, medium-range Airborne Force). Then, customers four constant-pitch two-blade main
prospects of Russian helicopter-type and long-range ones. will specify the commonised models’ rotors and cross-shaped fuselage.
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The programme is aimed at payload tailored for specific missions, Its payload will weight 0.3 kg and
As is known, there has been virtually developing a single configuration be it radio relay, jamming, intelligence, range will be 5 km. The unmanned
no systemic work in the field of of aircraft and systems with heavily surveillance and reconnaissance, mini-chopper will be powered by an
unmanned helicopters in Russia. Now, commonised characteristics for the transportation, strike missions, etc. electric engine.
Russian Helicopters

Yevgeny Yerokhin

Mi-34BP Ка-135

14 взлёт 5/2009 май [Link]

 industry | rewiew

Mil Mi-38 prospective transport helicopter first

flying prototype in demo flight

Andrey Zhirnov
The Mi-X1 and Ka-92 high-speed trans- Experimental prototypes of these machines Mi-28N and Ka-52 helicopters and the
port helicopter development programmes, could be developed by approximately development of future combat helicopters
which are at the research stage now, 2015–2016. Work is also under way on the for the Army Aviation and Navy as well as
could meet longer-term requirements. further modernisation of the production helicopter-type unmanned aerial vehicles.

Ka-226. The Ka-126BV is supposed

to use the detachable mission-specific
payload module with the commonised
set of electro-optical, infrared and
radio-frequency wavebands, relay hear
Russian Helicopters

Yevgeny Yerokhin

or cargo transport devices.

The ‘big’ unmanned helicopter
class has another concept from the
Ка-126BV Korshun
Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, which
The close-in UAV will be developed weighing up to 1,500 kg will be derived a combat radius of 500 km, and has been dubbed Multirole Robotic
for the military only as the basis of from the light manned coaxial-rotor Ka-126BV weighing 3,500 kg and Helicopter System (Russian acronym
a drastically innovative light mobile helicopter of the same name. The having a combat radius of 1,000– MRVK). The aircraft is said to be fitted
helicopter system. It will weigh 50– medium helicopter UAV class will 1,500 km depending on the payload with the rotor blade control system
80 kg and have a combat radius of up also include the Korshun coaxial-rotor and mission at hand. This class of similar to that of the future Mi-X1
to 50 km. Its 10–15 kg payload may UAV derived by the Kumertau-based unmanned helicopters will handle high-speed helicopter. The MRVK’s
include a day/night optronic system. Rotor design bureau from the manned firing or transporting a payload of takeoff weight is said to be about 3 t.
As far as the short-range unmanned baseline model. The helicopter weighs up to 1,000 kg. Both the Mi-34BP So far, the baseline helicopter-type
helicopter is concerned, a new 495 kg and has a combat radius of and Ka-126BV are being developed UAV programmes are in the preliminary
aircraft will be developed in this up to 400 km. To date, the KumAPE with the maximum use of units, design phase, and the R&D on specific
class as well, with the development joint stock company has made an powerplants and powertrains of the aircraft will be launched after orders
to pursue and rely upon the design experimental example and is launching baseline machines, the Mi-34 and have been landed and funds obtained.
backlog accumulated under the Ka-37 its trials now. In addition, a proposal
programme of the Kamov company. was made to use the Aktay manned MRVK
This line is being explored by the helicopter’s rotor system, powertrain
Ka-135 programme on developing a and engines for deriving an unmanned
light, 300 kg UAV with the 100 km version by Kazan Helicopters.
Yevgeny Yerokhin

combat radius and 50 kg payload. The long-range multirole helicopter

The medium-range unmanned UAV class will comprise the Mi-34BP1,
helicopter class will be the most Mi-34BP2 and Mi-34BP3 (V-34BP)
populous one. In this class, the Ka-115 with a weight of about 1,450 kg and

[Link] take-off june 2009 15

 civil aviation | news

Customers taking delivery of new Tu-204s

Andrey Fomin
On 31 March, the flight test
facility of the Ulyanovsk-based
Aviastar-SP plant hosted the cere-
mony of delivering the 50th Tupolev
Tu-204 aircraft. The Red Wings air-
line accepted its second 214-seat
Tu-204-100B airliner this year, seri-
alled RA-64050. Red Wings Deputy
Director General Victor Kononenko
was given the symbolic key to the
plane by Ilyushin Finance Co. (IFC)
head Alexander Rubtsov who, in his
turn, was presented it by Mikhail
Shushpanov, Director General of
Aviastar-SP that had built the plane.
The importance of the ceremony
was highlighted by the presence
of Russian Industry and Commerce
Minister Victor Khristenko, his
deputy Denis Manturov and UAC
President Alexey Fyodorov.
The aircraft handed off to more new Tu-204s. However, while operations). The reason is their Tu-204-300A can start its trials
Red Wings became the fifth new initial plans provided for buying leases are paid in rubles, while in June. The first freighter for Air
Tu-204-100B built for the carrier by Tu-204-100Bs, two of which were their prices in ruble terms remained Bridge Cargo (RA-64051) is slated
Aviastar-SP on order from IFC. Apart slated for the airline this autumn virtually unchanged, having sagged to commence its tests at about the
from them, the carrier has been oper- and the remaining seven through- in dollar terms. same time, too.
ating three Tu-204-100s (RA-64048, out 2010, upgraded Tu-204SMs According to Mikhail According to the Aviastar-SP
RA-64019 and RA-64020) leased are likely to be bought, with their Shushpanov, this year’s target Director General, the com-
from IFC as well. Another aircraft of delivery set to start in 2011. Thus, output of Aviastar-SP provides for pany is going to roll out at
the type (RA-64017), which had been in several years, the airline will delivery of at least nine Tu-204 least 12 Tu-204s a year during
flown by Red Wings since 2007, operate the 18 Tu-204 aircraft family aircraft. In addition to the 2010–2012, but “everything will
was returned to the Aviastar-Tu car- fleet – the largest fleet of the kind airliners for Red Wings these depend on the demand and orders
rier in March. However, Red Wings among Russian and foreign users. include two Tu-204C freighters for available”. This is why it is so
is poised to receive another new According to IFC Director General Air Bridge Cargo (subsidiary of important to the company to pro-
Tu-204-100B (RA-64048) soon – the Alexander Rubtsov, the advanced the Volga-Dnepr group), Tu-204CE ductionise the more competitive
sixth and final aircraft under the cur- narrow-body airliners of the Tu-204 (RA-64037) (CU-C1703) handed upgraded Tu-204SM. Alexander
rent contract with IFC. The airliner family enjoy several advantages over to Cubana Aviation in February Rubtsov said a decision had been
first flew on 8 May. The previous over the Airbus and Boeing airlin- and ferried to Cuba in April, and taken “to optimise the Tu-204SM
Tu-204-100B (RA-64049) was deliv- ers popular in Russia from the Tu-204 (RA-64010) being convert- test programme”, under which two
ered to the carrier on 16 February. carrier economic efficiency point ed to the Tu-204-300A VIP ver- aircraft are to be used. They are to
Meanwhile, the parties are going of view (due to a certain slump in sion for the VTB-Leasing company be manufactured by Aviastar-SP
to make another contract for nine passenger traffic on some of the on order from Tupolev JSC. The in February or March 2010. The
certification tests of the two new
Tu-204SMs are supposed to be
complete by late next year, after
which they will be delivered to
the customer, Iranian airline Iran
Airtour. According to Rubtsov, up
to 75% of Tu-204SMs will be built
for export to the Middle East and
Latin America. As far as domestic
Tu-204SM buyers are concerned,
Alexander Rubtsov mentioned the
companies that might join Rosavia
carrier. Under UAC’s updated
production plan published in late
Andrey Fomin

April, the two plants are to make

a total of 58 Tu-204 and Tu-214
aircraft during 2009–2012. A.F.

16 take-off june 2009 [Link]

 civil aviation | news

Two new Il-96s delivered

In Voronezh on 23 April, UAC’s seat 157 passengers in nine VIP,
subsidiaries Ilyushin Finance Co. 24 business class and 124 econo-
(IFС) and VASO plant handed off my class seats became the fourth
two new Ilyushin Il-96 family aircraft aircraft of the model operated by
to the customers, with an Il-96-300 the presidential air detachment that
airliner, serialled RA-96019, accept- had taken delivery of two presi-
ed by the Special Air Detachment of dential Il-96-300PUs (RA-96012
the Russian president’s executive and RA-96016) and then a similar

Vladimir Karnozov/UAK
office and an Il-96-400T (RA-96101) Il-96-300 (RA-96018). The plane
long-haul freighter accepted by the was completed by VASO this spring,
Voronezh-based Polyot airline. and its factory flight tests were
The ceremony was attended by wrapped up with success on 16
Industry and Commerce Minister April. In the wake of the handover
Andrey Fomin

Victor Khristenko, UAC President ceremony, Il-96-300 (RA-96019) Atlant-Soyuz at first and then for Polyot’s first Il-96-400T is to start
and Chairman of the Board Alexey was ferried from VASO’s airfield to Aeroflot-Cargo, but both operators hauling cargo as early as June this
Fyodorov and Voronezh Region Vnukovo-2 airport near Moscow. rejected them for a number of rea- year, with the carrier’s flying and
Governor Alexey Gordeyev. The Ilyushin Director General and sons). ground crews converting the new
acceptance reports were signed Designer General Victor Livanov Polyot and IFC signed the con- type concurrently. In the summer, the
by Vitaly Zubarev, VASO Director told Take-off that he expected the tract on leasing the three aircraft on airline is to take delivery of the next
General, Alexander Rubtsov, presidential executive office to order 25 February 2009, and on 4 March two Il-96-400Ts, since RA-96102 had
IFC Director General, Alexander two to four Il-96s more. the first Il-96-400T (RA-96101) passed its factory tests by this May
Kucherov, deputy chief engineer, The delivery of the first Il-96-400T sporting the corporate colour scheme and RA-96103 is gearing up for its
aircraft maintenance depot, Moscow (RA-96101) to the Polyot carrier of the Polyot carrier and named after maiden flight. Thus, this summer,
affiliate of the Rossiya airline (for has finally crowned the protracted Vyacheslav Salikov in honour of the Polyot is to have all three Il-96-400Ts
the Il-96-300), and Anatoly Karpov, handover of the new cargo version late IFC Deputy Director General and acquired under a firm order. In the
Polyot Director General (for the of the airliner to the end customer previously the long-term Director future, the company will be able to
Il-96-400T). by the manufacturer and leasing General of VASO, the manufacturer exercise its three options as well.
The Il-96-300 (RA-96019) deliv- company (as is known, the first of aircraft of the type, was rolled out An UAC news release reads, “The
ered to Rossiya and designed to Il-96-400Ts were earmarked for of the paint shop of the Spektr-Avia delivery of each new Il-96 is an
company in Ulyanovsk. On the next important event for the Russian air-
day, the aircraft was brought to VASO craft industry and the country as a
for Polyot’s engineers to accept it. whole. The production of the air-
Polyot’s acquisition of the craft of the type enables Russia to
Il-96-400Ts has paved the way for its retain its expertise in the wide-body
launching of a new air cargo opera- airliner field and remain among the
tion. Using the Il-96-400Ts will be three major makers of the aircraft
key to the company’s exploration of in this class along with the United
the scheduled cargo transport mar- States and European Union”. UAC’s
ket in the north and east of Russia updated target output provides for
Andrey Fomin

and scheduled international cargo building nine wide-body long-haul

services among Russia, China, South aircraft of the Il-96 family during
Korea and CIS and EU countries. 2009–2012. A.F.

[Link] take-off june 2009 17

Alexey Mikheyev
civil aviation | project

SUKHOI SUPERJET 100

DEBUTS IN LE BOURGET
Andrey FOMIN
A key, most interesting full-scale exhibit of the current air show in Le Bourget, probably,
will be the prototype of the advanced Sukhoi SuperJet 100 regional airliner. Displaying
the SuperJet 100 in Paris is the international debut of the cutting-edge Russian air-
liner being developed in cooperation with numerous foreign major manufacturers of
aircraft, engines, avionics and other components form Italy, France, the United States,
Germany and other countries. SSJ100 prototypes are undergoing a certification tests
programme planned to wrap up by the year-end when the early production SuperJets
are to be shipped to the launch customers. Overall, the developer has landed 98 firm
orders from Russian and foreign air carriers.
18 take-off june 2009 [Link]
 civil aviation | project

The most important recent event under The SuperJets were flown from Komso- SCAC. “The tests have proven all design
the programme of certification tests of the molsk-on-Amur to Zhukovsky by SCAC test characteristics and rig test results. In addition,
advanced Sukhoi SuperJet 100 took place pilots. Aircraft 95001 (serial 97001) was flown SCAC engineers and IAC Aircraft Registry
on 1 April this year when two flying proto- by SCAC chief test pilot Alexander Yablontsev experts have gotten the proof of the prelimi-
types were ferried from the factory airfield and test pilot Nikolay Pushenko and SSJ100 nary calculation of the form and size of the
in Komsomolsk-on-Amur to the Moscow c/n 95003 (serial 97003) by Leonid Chikunov ice forming on the surface, which is necessary
Region. Having completed their first long- and Sergey Korostiyev. Commenting on the for the next stage of the trials with the use of
haul flights from the Russian Far East, they flight, Alexander Yablontsev said, “The route ice simulators”.
landed at the Gromov LII Flight Research we have covered was, essentially, a flight of Another milestone of the Sukhoi
Institute airfield in Zhukovsky where their two regional-distance ‘legs’ 3,500 km each. SuperJet 100 certification test programme
certification programme continued at the It enabled us to run the first evaluation of the were the early familiarisation flights of
Flight Test Complex of the Sukhoi Civil aircraft’s capabilities under the conditions to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Aircraft Company (SCAC) outfitted with the the maximum degree simulating the routine in April, with the aircraft to be certificated
full set of flight data processing gear. flight of a regional passenger aircraft. Both under the EASA standards early next year.
The prototypes departed the Dzemgi fac- aircraft performed well, and their engines and SSJ100 c/n 95001 was flown by EASA test
tory airfield in Komsomolsk-on-Amur on the systems operated as expected. The aircraft pilot Philippe Castaigns and SCAC test pilots
morning of 30 March. On the same day, they is easy to control and can well be flown by a Leonid Chirkunov and Sergey Korostiyev
landed at Tolmachovo airport in Novosibirsk medium-skills pilot”. as well as EASA flight test engineer Fabrice
where they were shown to the personnel of the Just a couple of days after getting to Butin. The crew made up of EASA test
airport, air carriers and Novosibirsk Aircraft Zhukovsky, both SSJ100 prototypes carried pilot Francois Fabre and flight test engineer
Production Association (NAPO) deeply on with flight tests under the certification Jean-Pierre Marre as well SCAC test pilots
involved in the airliner’s production pro- programme. In addition to the tests in the Alexander Yablontsev and Vadim Shirokikh
gramme. The prototypes left for Moscow on 1 Moscow Region, series of special flights in flew SSJ100 c/n 95003.
April in the morning, and about 13.00 hrs the other regions of the country were planned. The EU test pilots’ familiarisation flights on
first of the two SuperJets (c/n 95001) showed For instance, on 11 April, SSJ100 c/n 95001 board the SuperJet were part of the work being
up in the skies over Zhukovsky where it was was headed for Arkhangelsk for natural icing done by the EASA certification task force
met by a pair of other latest Sukhoi aircraft, tests, for which purpose it had been equipped responsible for aircraft flight-testing under the
Su-35s. Having made a flypast escorted by the with special instruments to control the icing of EASA certification programme. The flights
fighters, the airliner touched down smoothly. the air intakes, wings and empennage. Before were designed to ensure initial familiarisation
An hour later, the other SuperJet (c/n 95003) coming back to Zhukovsky on 27 April, the with the aircraft and preliminary evaluation of
appeared in the skies over Zhukovsky, touch- aircraft completed five flights over the White its controllability.
ing down at LII airfield. The planes taxied Sea coast in the vicinity of Arkhangelsk and “The first flights precede EASA’s certifi-
to SCAC’s Flight Test Complex where they Murmansk where the probability of the icing- cation flight campaign, and these two flights
were met by the management of the company. conducive conditions is always high. on SuperJets were, no doubt, a huge step in
Sukhoi Director General Mikhail Pogosyan “The aircraft and all of its systems, includ- our familiarisation with the SSJ100 and the
told the media that the SSJ100 certification ing the anti-icing one, have displayed fail- team of the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company”,
trials had been on a rather tight schedule. safe performance in the ordinary and critical said Francois Fabre. “We have accomplished
Over a rather short period, the two prototypes modes. The aircraft has performed superbly, all of the objectives, including flying on a
had ensured excellent dynamics of the flight and all five flights have been a success as far as single engine”, said Fabrice Butin. “The
test programme, having logged more than 400 the SuperJet 100 certification is concerned”, first impression is that the aircraft is very
flight hours on over 130 missions. said Igor Vinogradov, first vice-president, comfortable and easy to control. As far as

Alexey Mikheyev

[Link] take-off june 2009 19

civil aviation | project

Summer 2000. The Sukhoi Civil Aircraft company was established as a 100-per cent subsidiary of the Sukhoi company.

SSJ100:
November 2000. Preliminary designing of the future Russian regional aircraft by Sukhoi
13 April 2001. Russian Aviation and Space Agency (Rosaviacosmos) head Yuri Koptev and Boeing President Philip
Condit signed a long-term cooperation agreement in Moscow, which provided, among other things, for co-development
of the advanced regional jet. Actually, the agreement kicked off the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) programme.
20 June 2001. During the Le Bourget air show, Sukhoi, Ilyushin and Boeing signed a memorandum of
m
understanding (MoU) and a protocol on cooperation in studying the feasibility of designing, manufacturing
and selling the RRJ advanced regional aircraft family. The RRJ family was supposed to consist of three
baseline models - the RRJ-55, RRJ-75 and RRJ-95 as well as their extended-range (ER) and long-range
(LR) versions.
13 August 2001. The Aeroflot said it was willing to buy at least 30 RRJs, having signed a MoU with Sukhoi.
December 2001. A business plan for the programme was drawn up.
February 2002. Snecma and NPO Saturn set up a Russo-French joint venture to co-develop the SM146 engine that
was offered in April 2002 in the tender for a powerplant to fit the RRJ family. In addition to the SM146, which was later
re-designated as SaM146, the PW800 (a joint offer by Pratt & Whitney Canada and the Aviadvigatel company headquar-
tered in the Russian city of Perm), Rolls-Royce BR700 and General Electric CF34 competed in the tender.
9 July 2002. Rosaviacosmos announced a closed competition for developing an advanced Russian regional jet
airliner, with requests for proposals (RfP) sent to all Russian aircraft design bureaus.
30 October 2002. Technical proposals concerning the RRJ aircraft family (RRJ-60, RRJ-75 and RRJ-95) submitted
to Rosaviacosmos for the advanced Russian regional aircraft competition. In addition to the RRJ, the Tupolev Tu-414
and Myasishchev M-60-70 projects competed.
18 December 2002. The tender for a powerplant to fit the RRJ family aircraft was completed. The winner was the
SM146 engine project jointly promoted by NPO Saturn and Snecma that established the PowerJet joint venture in 2004
to that end.
19 December 2002. SCAC and Boeing signed an agreement on long-term cooperation under the RRJ programme.
Under the agreement, Boeing was to provide consulting support to its Russian partner on the basic aspects of the
programme, e.g. marketing, programme management, design, development, work with subcontractors, production,
aftersale support, etc.
12 March 2003. The RRJ programme wins the Rosaviacosmos competition for an advanced Russian regional aircraft.
The RRJ become part of the federal programme 'Russian Civil Aircraft Development in 2002-10 and through 2015'.
29 April 2003. In Paris, Sukhoi, Snecma and NPO Saturn signed a tripartite memorandum on development and
production of the SM146 engine for the RRJ aircraft family.
June 2003. The RRJ programme unveiled during the Le Bourget air show.
10 October 2003. The programme cleared the third ‘gate’, being ready for proposal to air carriers. Selection of prin-
cipal systems subcontractors was completed.
24 November 2003. The advisory council of air carriers earmarked as potential RRJ buyers took place in Moscow
for the first time.
Alexey Mikheyev

23 January 2004. The general meeting of the 16 companies, which had won the tender for basic aircraft systems
supply, took place in Moscow. SSJ100 first flying prototype (c/n 95001)
28 April 2004. IAC’s Aircraft Registry accepted the RRJ certification request.
30 April 2004. The preliminary design stage is passed, with the Preliminary Design review issued.
14 October 2004. The first stage of the RRJ mock-up commission was completed under the AP-21 rules. IAC’s
Alexey Mikheyev

Aircraft Registry issued a positive report on the digital mock-up.

28 October 2004. The RRJ programme cleared its fourth stage and was ready for the launch of aircraft manufac-
ture.
February 2005. The SCAC's design bureau began to hand digital models for long-life-cycle part manufacture over
to KnAAPO.
25 March 2005. Sukhoi, on the one hand, and the Sberbank, Roseximbank, VTB and VEB banks, on the other, signed
an agreement on cooperation to work out financing the RRJ development and construction.
June 2005. Full-size flight deck and passenger cabin mock-ups were unveiled at Le Bourget.
13 June 2005. Thales was selected as the avionics integrator.
16 July 2005. The programme’s review was completed.
16 August 2005. The Federal Agency for Industry awarded Sukhoi an order for development of the RRJ aircraft family.
Under the federal programme 'Russian Civil Aircraft Development in 2002–10 and through 2015', the governmental
funding for 2005–09 was set at 7.9 billion rubles (about $280 million).
17 August 2005. The first firm order for 10 RRJ-95 worth $262 million was awarded by the Financial Leasing
Company (FLC) during the MAKS 2005 air show.
18 August 2005. A MoU on joint work under the RRJ programme was signed by Sukhoi and SCAC, on the one hand,
and Finmeccanica and Alenia, on the other.
7 December 2005. An Aeroflot order was snagged. Under the order, the manufacturer is to deliver 30 airliners worth
in the neighbourhood of $820 million, starting from November 2008.
17 January 2006. The Voronezh Aircraft Production Association (VASO) joins the production segment of the pro-
gramme as a manufacturer of composite structural components.

20 take-off june 2009 [Link]

 civil aviation | project

February 2006. KnAAPO and NAPO launched aggregate assembly of the first prototypes. In all, six prototypes were

:
laid down.

milestones 20 June 2006. Sukhoi and SCAC, on the one hand, and Finmeccanica and Alenia, on the other, signed an agreement
on strategic cooperation under the RRJ programme.
22 June 2006. NPO Saturn in the city of Rybinsk assembled the first full-scale SaM146 engine (No. 001), which first
test-bench run took place on 5 July 2006.
17 July 2006. The programme was rebranded, with the RRJ family aircraft started being promoted on the market
under the Sukhoi SuperJet 100 brand name. The programme was unveiled under the new name at the Farnborough
2006 air show.
December 2006. KnAAPO completed the airframe of SuperJet first protoype (95002) designed for static tests.
28 January 2007. The Polyot airline’s An-124-100 Ruslan freighter airlifted the SuperJet 100 No. 95002 prototype
from Komsomolsk-on-Amur to LII’s airfield in Zhukovsky for static tests at TsAGI.
19 June 2007. At the Le Bourget air show, Finmeccanica and its subsidiary Alenia Aeronautica, on the one hand, and
UAC and Sukhoi, on the other hand, signed a general contract on strategic partnership under the SuperJet programme.
The contract stipulated the Italians’ acquisition of 25 per cent plus one share of SCAC’s stock, conditions under which
the Italians would participate in financing the programme (at least 25 per cent of the aggregate investment), principles
for setting up the joint venture, etc.
19 June 2007. During the Le Bourget air show, Sukhoi and Italian carrier ItAli clinched a deal on the delivery of
10 SSJ100/95LR airliners worth $283 million with 10 options.
July 2007. NPO Saturn made the third SaM146 prototype engine and shipped it to LII for flight tests on board the
Il-76LL flying testbed.
22 August 2007. The establishment of Russo-Italian joint venture SuperJet International on 15 July 2007 was
announced during the MAKS 2007 air show. The venture was to be headquartered in Venetia and handle SuperJet sales
as well as aftersale support, with its stock being divided 49:51 per cent between Sukhoi and Alenia respectively.
14 September 2007. Armenian airline Armavia ordered two aircraft with two more as an option.
26 September 2007. The first SuperJet flying prototype (95001) was rolled out officially in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.
6 December 2007. In Zhukovsky, LII flew the Il-76LL testbed (76454) with the SaM146 (003/2) engine running for
the first time.
20 February 2008. SCAC’s subsidiary in Komsomolsk-on-Amur ran up the SaM146 (No. 101) engine on the wing of
SuperJet 95001 for the first time.
April 2008. Manufacture of assemblies for the first production aircraft began.
12 May 2008. SuperJet's fist flying prototype (95001) completed its first taxiing at KnAAPO’s airfield.
19 May 2008. SuperJet (95001) conducted its maiden flight in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, with pilot Alexander
Yablontsev and co-pilot Leonid Chikunov at the controls. The mission lasted for 1 h 05 min.
15 July 2008. The MoU was signed with Perm-based company Avialeasing on 40 SSJ100s for the catalogue price of
a total of more than $630 million, including 24 firm orders and 16 options.
16 July 2008. During the Farnborough air show, it was announced that the SuperJet International joint venture and
Swiss leasing company AMO had singed an agreement for five SSJ100s with a catalogue price of a total of $150 million
and another deal had been struck with an unnamed “European customer” for 20 aircraft worth in a neighbourhood of
$600 million and slated for delivery from 2011.
24 October 2008. The first SSJ100 prototype (c/n 95001, side number 97001) was officially submitted for the certi-
SSJ100 second flying prototype (c/n 95003) fication tests. The news was announced in Khabarovsk where the aircraft flew for the first time from the factory airfield
in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.
19 November 2008. SSJ100 prototype c/n 95006 designed for endurance tests was flown by an An-124 Ruslan
transport to SibNIA institute in Novosibirsk.
5 December 2008. A contract was signed on the key terms of the delivery of 15 SSJ100/95 aircraft with a catalogue
price of a total of $448 million to Indonesian airline Kartika, with the delivery starting from 2011 and with 15 options.
19 December 2008. The second phase of the SaM146 engine’s trials on board the Il-76LL flying testbed started in
Gromov LII. The second phase is designed for 150 flight hours.
24 December 2008. The second SSJ100 flying prototype (c/n 95003, serial 97003) conducted its first flight in
Komsomolsk-on-Amur, crewed by test pilots Leonid Chirkunov and Nikolay Pushenko. The flight lasted 2 h 30 min.
30 March 2009. SSJ100 c/n 95001 and 95003 departed on a Komsomolsk-on-Amur – Novosibirsk – Moscow flight.
The aircraft were shown in Novosibirsk’s Tolmachovo airport.
1 April 2009. Prototypes c/n 95001 and 95003 came for the first time to Gromov LII’s airfield in Zhukovsky (Moscow
Region) to continue their certification tests at the Flight Test Complex of the SCAC.
11 April 2009. The first SSJ100 prototype (c/n 95001) flew from Zhukovsky to Arkhangelsk for natural icing tests.
Five test missions had been flown in the vicinity of Arkhangelsk and Murmansk, after which the aircraft returned to
Zhukovsky on 27 April.
11 May 2009. During Russian Premier Vladimir Putin’s visit to Komsomolsk-on-Amur, it was announced that the gov-
ernment would support the programme with additional 6.8 billion rubles (about $210 million) and Vnesheconombank
would issue a $250 million loan to airlines buying Sukhoi SuperJet 100 airliners.
19 May 2009. For one year passed from the beginning of the SuperJet flight tests 180 missions were accomplished,
including 131 sorties by SSJ100 c/n 95001 and 49 by c/n 95003.

[Link] take-off june 2009 21

civil aviation | project
Orders for Sukhoi SuperJet 100 This summer, two more flying prototypes
(as of 19 May 2009)
are to join the certification trials. SSJ100
Price, c/n 95004 will become the third flying pro-
Date Customer Number Options million
USD* totype. In April, it entered ground tests on
17 Aug 2005 FLC 10 – 262 the premises of the Komsomolsk-on-Amur
7 Dec 2005 Aeroflot 30 – 820 affiliate of SCAC, and its maiden flight has
9 Dec 2006 AirUnion** 15 15 400
been scheduled for later June or early July.
19 Dec 2006 Dalavia** 6 4 170
After a short series of factory tests, it will be
ferried to Zhukovsky too. It will be used for
19 Jun 2007 ItAli 10 10 283
conducting part of the tests of the avionics
14 Sept 2007 Armavia 2 2 55
on the premises of Sukhoi’s Italian partner
16 July 2008 AMO 5 – 150
under the SSJ programme. The fourth and
undisclosed
16 July 2008 20 – 600 final flying prototype (c/n 95005) is to join
carrier
Total 98 31 2,740 the certification tests in August. Now, the
* list prices prototype is in the final assembly shop of
** order thought to be resigned with Rosavia carrier SCAC in Komsomolsk-on-Amur where the
first production aircraft (c/n 95007) found
controllability is concerned, the SSJ100 is itself in February.
very similar to the aircraft we are accus- In KnAAPO’s shops, the assembly of the
tomed to”. airframe of the second production aircraft
Following the demonstration at the air (c/n 95008) is under way too. Major assem-
show in Le Bourget, the SuperJet is to pass bly of other aircraft numbered 95009 to
another important stage of the certification 95012 is going on at the same time. Under
trials. In July, it will fly to Armenia where the current plan, the first two production
it will conduct a series of flights in moun- Sujhoi SuperJet 100s are to be complete by
tainous terrain and then to Central Asia for year-end so that they can be delivered to
high-temperature tests. the customer after completing the certifica-

Partners in Sukhoi SuperJet 100 development and production

SCAC (Moscow;
subsidiary – Prime contractor. Aircraft development. Final assembly. Flight tests. Delivery
Komsomolsk-on-Amur)
KnAAPO Manufacture and aggregate assembly of the F2, F3 and F4 fuselage sections, wing centre
(Komsomolsk-on-Amur ) section, wing panels with high-lift devices and systems mating, fuselage mating
NAPO (Novosibirsk) Manufacture and aggregate assembly of the F1, F5 and F6 fuselage sections and vertical
and horizontal stabilisers
VASO (Voronezh) Manufacture of composite parts (high-lift devices, elevators, access doors, hatches, etc.)
Alenia Aeronautica / Strategic partner. Marketing and aftersale support (SuperJet International joint venture)
Finmeccanica group
NPO Saturn Risk-sharing partner. SaM146 engine development and manufacture (PowerJet joint
(Rybinsk, Moscow) venture)
Snecma / Safran group Risk-sharing partner. SaM146 engine development and manufacture (PowerJet joint
venture)
Boeing Programme consultant. Consulting support in marketing, design, production, certification,
quality assurance system, suppliers and aftersale support tion tests being performed on four flying
Thales Development and delivery of the integrated avionics suite (production in cooperation with prototypes and two ground static and endur-
Aviapribor Holding in Moscow) and integrated and procedural simulators
ance test prototypes (c/n 95002 and 95006
Development and delivery of the fly-by-wire systems (production in cooperation with respectively) and after obtaining the type
Liebherr Voskhod PMZ in Pavlovo); development and delivery of the air conditioning, automatic
pressure control and anti-icing systems (production in cooperation with PKO Teploobmennik certificate from the Aircraft Registry of the
in Nizhny Novgorod)
Interstate Aviation Committee. The launch
Messier Dowty Development and delivery of landing gear (production in cooperation with Aviaagregat in customers for the Sukhoi SuperJet 100 will
Samara)
be Russia’s Aeroflot and Armenian Armavia.
Intertechnique / Zodiac Development and delivery of the fuel system (production in cooperation with Abris in
St. Petersburg) The first two production SSJ100s (c/n 95007
Development and delivery of the flight deck and cabin interior and oxygen system (production and 95008) are to be delivered in December
B/E Aerospace in cooperation with Respirator in Orekhovo-Zuyevo) this year.
Autronics / Curtiss Wright Fire-suppressant system development and delivery Overall, the orderbook of the airliner’s
Honeywell Auxiliary power unit development and delivery developer includes 98 firm orders (see the
IPECO Crew seat development and delivery table). UAC’s updated production plan pub-
Parker Hydraulic system development and delivery lished late in April provides for making a
Hamilton Sundstrand / UTC Power supply system development and delivery total of 74 production aircraft of the type
during 2009–2012, with the annual output
Vibro-meter / Meggitt Engine vibration pickup development and delivery
rate to be gradually driven up to 60–70 units
Goodrich Landing gear wheel and brake development and delivery
a year.
Air Cruisers / Zodiac Survival gear development and delivery
On 11 May, during Russia’s Premier
ECES Lighting equipment and canopy windscreen wiper development and delivery Vladimir Putin’s visit to Komsomolsk-on-

22 take-off june 2009 [Link]

 civil aviation | project

SSJ100 (95001) during natural icing tests in

Arkhangelsk, April 2009

Vladimir Lavrov
Amur, new governmental measures to sup-
SSJ100 (95003) first landing at Gromov LII
port the Sukhoi SuperJet 100 programme airfield in Zhukovsky, 1 April 2009
were announced. The government promised
extra 3.2 billion rubles (about $100 mil-
lion) to increase SCAC’s ownership stake
in the Russo-Italian joint venture set up
to develop and promote the SuperJet 100
on the global market and 3.6 billion rubles
(about $110 million) to provide direct sup-
port to the efforts to complete the certifica-
tion test programme and productionise the
SSJ100 under the federal Russia civil avia-
tion development programme. In addition,
during the premier’s visit to Komsomolsk-
on-Amur, Vnesheconombank announced
issuing a loan worth $250 million desig-
nated for Russian carriers buying aircraft
of the type, in the first place, Aeroflot that
Andrey Fomin

had ordered 30 SSJ100 airliners. The early

Sukhoi SuperJet 100s are to be delivered in
late 2009 or 2010.

[Link] take-off june 2009 23

civil aviation | project

SUKHOI
SUPERJET 100
and
Su-35
photo by Alexey Mikheyev
24 take-off june 2009 [Link]
 civil aviation | project

[Link] take-off june 2009 25

 civil aviation | project

Yevgeny Yerokhin
Ground tests
The SaM146 development programme is
entering the special test phase under the
general certification programme. Overall,
17 engines are needed under the certifica-
tion programme, including eight (i.e. about
26 assemblies*) for rig and flying testbed trials
and nine for the tests of SSJ100 prototypes. As
of April this year, six engines (14 assemblies)
were built for rig and flying testbed tests (five
and one respectively) and four for testing
onboard the SSJ100 prototypes.
NPO Saturn’s testing facility used for
the SaM146 certification tests includes the
open-air test rig in Poluyevo near the city of
Rybinsk and three indoor test cells, No. 26, 27

SaM146 Yevgeny YEROKHIN

UNDERGOING CERTIFICATION With the ferrying the first two Sukhoi

SuperJet 100 flying prototypes to
Zhukovsky in the Moscow Region,
another phase of the new airliner’s cer-
tification programme commenced, with
a third and fourth prototypes to join the
trials in the near future. Concurrently,
the tests of the advanced SaM146
turbofan engine under co-development
by Russia’s NPO Saturn and French
Snecma to fit the SuperJet are under
way. Overall, to complete the certifi-
cation programme, 17 engines have
to be made, of which 10 have been
made and undergoing testing, includ-
Yevgeny Yerokhin

ing four on board two SSJ100 proto-

types. According to some experts, it is
the SaM146 development and delivery
delays that are among the reasons for
more prototypes slipping behind sched-
and 28. In addition, 23 types of unit certifica- trials took place in Arkhangelsk from 11 to 27 ule in joining the trials and, hence, for
tion tests are being prepared or performed at April 2009, with five missions flown). Late in the whole of the SuperJet certification
programme to drag its feet. To get a
12 test rigs of NPO Saturn, with correspond- April, the engine will kick off its certification
better grasp of the situation, Take-off’s
ing tests being prepared in the TsIAM and tests at the rig in Poluyevo, involving ice slab
correspondent Yevgeny Yerokhin vis-
VIAM institutes. ingestion. In addition, production of units for ited NPO Saturn and made sure that
Assembled in 2006, the very first demon- Assembly 001/3, which is to be used for test- the SaM146 construction and tests are
stration example of the engine, designated as ing the fan blades and LP compressor in later on schedule and the company remains
FETT (First Engine To Test), a.k.a. SaM146 2009, is to begin as well. poised to obtain the type certificate in
No.001, has been tested ever since. As part of The second SaM146 prototype, No.002, the fourth quarter of the year.
Assembly 001/3, it has completed its ice-cube is designed for several stages of the trials.
ingestion trials, which ensured the green light Its initial Assembly 002/1 has been tested
for launching the testing of SSJ100 prototype as the max thrust demonstrator, and initial conducted. Once modified, Assembly 002/2
No. 95001 under natural icing conditions (the tests of its gas generator and software have was temporarily mounted on the first
been completed. Assembly 002/2 has dem- SSJ100 c/n 95001, during its rollout in
* The assembly is understood here as the engine onstrated the ‘single-engine aircraft’ thrust Komsomolsk-on-Amur in September 2007.
set resultant from the overhaul, fault detection and intended for flying on a single engine, rede- Then, the next assembly, 002/3, was pre-
replacement some of the units and parts for the signed fan blades have been tested and a pared for evaluation of NPO Saturn’s new
next stage of the test programme. number of oil and fuel system tests have been indoor test rigs. Assembly 002/4 ensured an

26 take-off june 2009 [Link]

 civil aviation | project

important phase of the tests in Poluyevo in SaM146 No.005 and 008. They are to be affiliate in Komsomolsk-on-Amur where the
support of the plane’s maiden flight – the completed in June and July 2009 respec- Aircelle company set up a jig set for simulta-
cross-wind effect, flutter margin, runway tively. The former is intended for vibration neous assembly of two powerplants. The first
effect simulation and joint engine/thrust tests in the indoor test cell and the latter for flight test-intended SaM146 engines, No.102
reverser operation tests. Then, the engine cyclic tests in maximum allowable regimes. and 103, were mounted on the first SSJ100
was overhauled, and SaM146 No.002/5 is flying prototype c/n 95001. The second fly-
undergoing certification tests on TsIAM’s Onboard flying testbed ing prototype (c/n 95003) powered by the
climatic test bench under the icing condi- The first SaM146 to take to the skies was SaM146 No.101 and 104 engines entered the
tions, after which another assembly, 002/6, engine No.003 mounted on the Il-76LL flight trials in December last year. As of 4
will be made for fan blade strip certification flying testbed No. 76454. The perform- April, the two aircraft logged 136 sorties (104
tests in Poluyevo. ance of initial Assembly 003/1 was tested by aircraft No.95001 and 32 by No.95003).
SaM146 No.004 was mounted on the on the rig in Poluyevo. The engine was In April NPO Saturn was assembling sev-
first SSJ100 along with engine No.002/2 unveiled as part of the flying testbed dur- eral more engines now – SaM146 No.005/1,
during the prototype’s rollout in September ing the MAKS 2007 air show. Once the 008, 001/2 and 004/2 – designed for com-
2007. Then during 2007–2008, it underwent engine was installed into the engine nacelle pleting the engine certification test pro-
equivalent cyclic tests in the indoor test cell (Assemblies 003/1 and 003/2), its basic gramme as well as two next SaM146s
Andrey Fomin

to prove its service life. The engine logged characteristics were tested and the whole set (No.105 and 106) for use onboard the third
1,010 cycles (475 hours). The examination of software tests was performed too. Stage I flying SSJ100 c/n 95004. The manufac-
of the state of its parts following the trials of SaM146 No.003’s flight trials as part of ture of engines No.107 and 108 to fit the
showed the lack of defects worth men- the Il-76LL, which included 27 flights, was fourth flying prototype (c/n 95005) has
tioning. In the future, the engine will be completed in Gromov LII Flight Research begun. Work also is under way on mak-
returned to cyclic tests in the form of con- Institute late in January 2008. A new assem- ing the early production-standard engines
siderably renovated Assembly 004/2. bly, 003/11, kicked off Stage II of the test planned for installation on production air-
The second engine for the equivalent programme in the December of last year. craft earmarked for the launch custom-
cyclic tests is SaM146 No.007/1 that has Prior to that, during 2008, Assembly 003/10 ers – the Aeroflot and Armavia air carriers.
logged 750 cycles. It is being used for cali- completed outdoor rig tests in Poluyevo. As Parallel with the engine certification tests,
brating NPO Saturn’s test rigs. of 4 April, 23 missions were flown as part of the production facilities of NPO Saturn
In addition to the rig test-intended engines Stage II of the flight trials to gauge the per- are being certificated. Under an agree-
being developed in Russia, SaM146 No.006, formance of the engine. The trials involving ment with Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, production
which final assembly was handled by the flying testbed are to be complete in June facilities designed for an annual output of
Snecma, is undergoing core engine certifi- or July 2009. 150 SaM146s are being built.
cation tests in France. An installation for In conclusion, a few numbers characteris-
fan blade strip vacuum rig tests (actually, a Powering the SuperJet ing the amount of tests completed are due.
full-size SaM146 low-pressure compressor At the same time with the rig and fly- As of 14 April this year, all SaM146 examples
with the core engine and low-pressure tur- ing-testbed tests, the SaM146 has been designed for rig and flight tests totalled 3,060
bine simulators) was sent to Snecma as well. undergoing its flight trials onboard Sukhoi hours, including 1,616 h on the rigs and on
These tests were slated for late May 2009. SuperJet 100 prototypes since May 2008. The TsIAM’s climatic test bench, 316 h on board
NPO Saturn is manufacturing two more powerplants for the flight tests are assembled the Il-76LL flying testbed and 1,128 h on
engines designed for ground testing – and mounted by the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft board two Sukhoi SuperJet 100 prototypes.

[Link] take-off june 2009 27

contracts and deliveries | news

MMRCA tender: on the verge of competitive tests

The competition for 126 Medium
MultiRole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA)
held by the Indian Air Force (IAF) is
entering a key phase – the competi-
tive testing of the rival aircraft. The
$11 billion – the estimated value
of the aircraft to be selected by
IAF – have pitted the world’s top six
light and medium fighter makers in
a tooth-and-nail contest.
The competition was announced
officially on 28 August 2007 when
the RfPs were released to the con-
tenders. Therefore, the companies
contesting the lucrative order acted
as real competitors during the
recent Aero India 2009 air show in
Bangalore in February.

Piotr Butowski
Earlier this year, the tender com-
mittee was examining the docu-
ments submitted by the six con-
tenders, with the competitive tests
slated for summer. IAF pilots will including the operational Zhuk-AE its maiden flight in May or June of the deal, offsets offered and,
evaluate two aircraft provided by AESA radar from Phazotron-NIIR. this year, smack on the verge of the obviously, political aspects of the
each of the rivals – a singleseater This spring, MiG Corp. completed competitive tests in India. cooperation.
and a twinseater. The trials will the second MiG-35 demonstrator, Another phase – the testing of The winner in the tender will
take place in Bangalore as well as the singleseater, whose airframe the avionics, AESA radar, weapons, supply IAF with 18 fighters, with the
Jaisalmer and Leh in mountainous design is quite similar to that of the ECM gear, etc. – is to begin in remaining 108 to be licence-pro-
terrain conditions. MiG-29K/KUB carrierborne fighters autumn in the contenders’ home duced by HAL. According to IAF
As is known, MiG Corp. has produced on order from the Indian countries. The trials will result in commander Chief Air Marshal Fali
had only one MIG-35 demonstra- Navy. Nikolay Buntin, chief designer the so-called short list, and the Homi Major, “if all goes to plan, the
tor in the two-seat variant fitted of the MiG-35 and MiG-29K/KUB, short-listed rivals will be scruti- first MMRCA painted in the Indian
with the full set of equipment stipu- told a Take-off correspondent that nised in terms of the strengths and colours will fly in about four years”,
lated by the tender requirements, the second MiG-35 was slated for deficiencies of the financial aspect i.e. some time in 2012. A.F.

NPO Saturn and Ufa-based UMPO

AL-55I kicks off flight tests on board HJT-36 plant on the parity basis.
As far as the HJT-36 itself is
9 May witnessed the maiden of rig test cycle at the Lytkarino operating characteristics. The concerned, it has been dogged
flight of Indian trainer HAL HJT-36 Engineering Plant (a subsidiary of engine’s reliable start-up range also by bad luck. During the previous
powered by the NPO Saturn AL-55I NPO Saturn), were shipped to India was checked and the operation of Bangalore air show on 8 February
for the first time. On the 40 min late in December 2008 for instal- all of its systems was evaluated. In 2007, the first prototype, PT-1
flight from the Bangalore airfield the lation on HJT-36 advanced Indian September 2008, the AL-55I passed (S-3466), running after a dem-
aircraft climbed 3,000 m, attaining trainers. its special rig trials at TsIAM’s onstration flight, rolled off the
an instrument speed of 300 km/h. By then, the AL-55I prototype had Research and Test Centre. runway due to a disintegration of a
Its powerplant operated smoothly. passed the first flight test milestone Under the contract signed with wheel and sustained a rather seri-
According to Indian test pilot Baldev in Russia on board the MiG-AT flying HAL, a batch of six AL-55I proto- ous damage to the airframe. The
Singh, “the powerplant performed testbed (side number 823) whose types designed to fit HJT-36s is second prototype, PT-2 (S-3474),
greatly”. maiden flight with this engine had being manufactured in Russia. was damaged in a belly landing
The flight kicked off the cer- taken place on 28 July 2008. In addi- As is known, the AL-55I twin-shaft in Bangalore on 5 February 2009,
tification flight test stage of the tion, the AL-55I was integrated with turbofan with the 1,760 kgf thrust is during the preparations for this
AL-55I-powered HJT-36, after the HJT-36 in Bangalore last July, its under development on order from year’s air show. The designers of
which completion Russia, under the operation as part of the powerplant Indian corporation HAL under NPO the aircraft intended to replace
contract, will provide India with the was tested and first high-speed taxi Saturn’s international contract that IAF’s obsolete HJT-16 Kiran train-
design documentation in support of tests were conducted. came into effect on 1 August 2005. er, took heart, nonetheless. IAF
launching the AL-55I licence pro- In August 2008, the AL-55I also The work on productionising the has ordered a low-rate initial pro-
duction by HAL. passed special rig tests in TsIAM’s prototype batch, certificating the duction batch of 12 HJT-36s, with
The first three AL-55I engines, heat and altitude chamber, designed engine and ensuring its licence plans providing for acquisition of
which had completed the whole to gauge its altitude, speed and production have been shared by 200–250 aircraft. A.F.

28 take-off june 2009 [Link]

 contracts and deliveries | news

India at fourth stage of Su-30MKI licence production

Today, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI
super-agile multirole two-seat
fighter is the joy and pride of
the Indian Air Force and its most
sophisticated warplane, which was
demonstrated at the latest air show
in Bangalore in February. To date,
the Irkut corporation has delivered
50 aircraft of the type to IAF, while
the licence production by Indian
corporation HAL, coupled with the
Russian deliveries, will enable IAF
by the mid-2010s to operate as
many as 230 aircraft like that,
most of which will have remained
in service until 2030–2040 or even
later as a factor heavily influenc-
ing the balance of power in the
region.
The contract on the handover to
India of the rights for the licence
production of the Su-30MKI, its
AL-31FP thrust-vector control-
led engine and avionics was made

Piotr Butowski
on 28 December 2000, having
become the ‘biggest-ticket’ deal in
the Russian-Indian cooperation his-
tory – it is worth more than $3 bil-
lion. The first Su-30MKI licence-pro- components by local factories out of tem owing to advanced operating The air-launched BrahMos-A launch
duced by HAL was accepted by IAF the materials supplied by Russia. modes and avionics improvements. weight has been reduced to 2,500 kg
on 28 November 2004. According The Su-30MKI programme is not Since the Su-30MKI production with the warhead weight and maxi-
to Sukhoi, 34 aircraft were made in sitting idle, and the fighters entering and delivery will have been under mal range remaining unchanged,
India as of September 2008. HAL service with IAF now are different way for a minimum of five years 300 kg and 290 km respectively.
has launched the fourth and the final from the early Su-30MKIs, deliv- and its service at least a quarter Initially, the Su-30MKI will be able to
licence production stage providing ered early in the decade, in greater of the century, a further enhance- carry a single BrahMos-A missile.
for manufacture of parts, units and capabilities of their fire control sys- ment of the aircraft by means of A preliminary agreement has
even more effective avionics and been reached for two IAF Su-30MKI
advanced weaponry comes into the fighters to be ferried to the Sukhoi
foreground. One of the current pri- design bureau for modification to
orities in this field is to beef up the carry the BrahMos. A Take-off cor-
weapons suite of the IAF Su-30MKIs respondent was told by a BrahMos
with the cutting-edge BrahMos-A Aerospace spokesperson that the
precision-guided long-range mul- early BrahMos-A drop tests involv-
tirole air-to-surface missile being ing the Su-30MKI could be launched
developed by the Russian-Indian in India in 2010.
joint venture. BrahMos Aerospace Down the road, the adaptation
joint venture has already delivered of the BrahMos-A cruise missile to
its shipborne and shore-based vari- the IAF Su-30MKI fighter will allow
ants to the Indian Navy and Army. the weapon’s use by other IAF and
The air-launched BrahMos-A Indian Navy aircraft with minimal
entered the development several modifications. It also opens bright
years ago. The thrust of the modi- vistas for fitting the weapon to other
fication is aimed at equipping the Su-30 family aircraft being exported
weapon with a new booster and to several countries.
a different nosecone, adapting the IAF expects the service entry
missile to fit the carrier’s hard- of the air-launched BrahMos-A
Andrey Fomin

points and modifying the missile prior to 2012, BrahMos Aerospace

control system’s software package CEO A. Sivathanu Pillai said in the
to fit the carrier’s avionics suite. October of last year. A.F.

[Link] take-off june 2009 29

 contracts and deliveries | news

Russian-Indian fifth generation

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter devel- fighter. This would require enormous Sukhoi personnel have paid several totype of the Russian PAK FA is known
opment and licence production pro- financial and technological resources. visits to HAL in India. The talks have to have been at a rather high degree
gramme has become a breakthrough It is such an ambitious programme resulted in coordination of the basic of completion. For instance, Mikhail
endeavour laying the groundwork for that meets the interests of our stra- issues of the joint development and Pogosyan confirmed in Bangalore
the equal cooperation between Russia tegic partnership”. Thus, the Sukhoi production of the advanced aircraft. that the maiden flight of the Russian
and India in the field of combat air- Director General made it clear as far The Russian-Indian next-generation PAK FA first flying prototype “will
craft development. “From the tech- as two years ago that Russia and combat aircraft programme stipulates take place this year”, explaining that
nological point of view, the Su-30MKI India might jointly develop and pro- both co-financing and co-production 50% of India’s participation in the
programme is unprecedented for the duce cutting-edge new-generation with the use of Sukhoi’s and HAL’s programme would be distributed
defence cooperation between Russia warplanes. production facilities. Such aircraft are throughout the aircraft life cycle,
and India. It is bringing together the In this respect, the 18 October expected to be designed both for IAF i.e. while Russia has borne all the
technological capabilities of the Indian 2007 signing of the Russian-Indian and for export to third countries. expenses at the initial stage of the
and Russian aircraft industries start- intergovernmental agreement on joint Certain details of the programme programme, a considerable part of
ing from design schools of thought to development and production of the dubbed FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter the work may be given to India
manufacturing technologies”, Sukhoi advanced 5th generation multirole Aircraft) in India became known at the further down the line. For instance,
Director General Mikhail Pogosyan fighter was a momentous event. The Aero India 2009 air show in Bangalore Indian engineers will customise the
said early in 2007. In his opinion, the Sukhoi company and Indian corpora- in February. According to the then HAL aircraft to the IAF requirements (it
Russian participants in the Su-30MKI tion Hindustan Aeronautics Limited boss, Ashok Baveja, the parties had is known to be a two-seater, unlike
programme “have gained a unique (HAL) were earmarked as the con- harmonised and, as far as it is pos- the Russian single-seat version),
experience in integrating the best for- tractors. Afterwards, Indian delega- sible, commonised the requirements develop some export variants for
eign military aircraft solutions – the tions have repeatedly visited both the to the future fighter, set forth by the air potential foreign buyers, and take
experience that can be used under Sukhoi design bureau and KnAAPO, forces of the two countries. It was also an active part in further moderni-
any other cooperative Russian-Indian with the latter manufacturing the first reaffirmed that the programme would sation, maintenance and overhaul.
programme, including, possibly, the Russian fifth-generation fighter proto- be on parity basis, which could not but HAL pegs the FGFA’s service entry
development of a fifth-generation types since December 2007. In turn, raise an eyebrow or two since the pro- with IAF about 2017. A.F.

First A-50EI delivered to India

The delivery flight of the first
A-50EI airborne early warning and
control (AEW&C) aircraft from Israel
to India took place on 25 May. The
plane landed safely at the airport of
Indian city Mumbai.
Take-off has already covered the
status of the Russian-Israeli-Indian
contract on three A-50EI aircraft for
IAF, estimated at $1.1 billion. As is
known, the first A-50EI derived by
Beriev from a TAPC-built Ilyushin
Il-76TD airlifter airframe and fit-
ted with four PS-90A-76 engines
from Perm Motors completed its
Beriev company

maiden mission in Taganrog on

29 November 2007 and was fer-
ried to Israel on 20 January 2008
for installation of the Elta Phalcon
radar system and conduct of the equipment for the aircraft was carrying the Israeli-made Phalcon on 11 January 2009 and is slated to
full set of improvements and tests. supplied by Russian concern Vega. radar kicked off in Tel Aviv on 5 be transferred to Israel for Phalcon
The guidance and communications The flight trials of the first A-50EI June 2008. system installation soon. Vladimir
According to Vega’s chief Vladimir Verba stressed that “there may be
Verba speaking at Gidroaviasalon more orders for the aircraft”. During
2008 airshow last September, the the Gidroaviasalon 2008 show,
remaining two aircraft under the Beriev, Rosoboronexport, Perm
contract will be delivered to the cus- Motors and Vega clinched a deal on
Indian internet

tomer during the subsequent two launching the establishing of the A-

years. The second A-50EI airframe 50EI aftersales maintenance system
made its maiden flight in Taganrog for IAF. A.F.

30 take-off june 2009 [Link]

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 contracts and deliveries | news

Vietnam to receive eight more Su-30MK2s

According to a report by the the fourth quarter of 2010 and be to as Su-30MK2V, were a light- Association (IAPO), now the
Interfax-AVN news agency on completed in 2011. The advanced ly-modified variant of the production Irkutsk Aircraft Plant of Irkut Corp.
15 May, the Vietnamese Air Force aircraft will beef up Vietnam’s Su-30MK2 delivered to the Chinese Under the second deal clinched in
will have taken delivery of eight fleet of four Su-30MK2s and Naval Aviation in 2004, differing in December 1996, the Vietnamese
more Sukhoi Su-30MK2 mul- 12 Su-27SK/UBKs, driving the total only somewhat upgraded communi- Air Force received two Su-27SKs
tirole twin-seat fighters from the number of Sukhoi fighters in the VAF cations aids and improved ejection from Komsomolsk-on-Amur and
Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft inventory up to 24. seats (at the photo). four Su-27UBKs from Irkutsk during
Production Association (KnAAPO), As is known, KnAAPO shipped The first Sukhoi fighters were 1997–1998. All Vietnamese Sukhoi
a subsidiary of the Sukhoi company. the first four Su-30MK2s to Vietnam procured by Vietnam in May fighters are stationed at Phan Rang
According to Interfax-AVN, the con- in November 2004 under the con- 1995 – five Su-27SK singleseat- Air Force Base and operated as part
tract was awarded in January this tract made in late 2003. The fight- ers from KnAAPO and a Su-27UBK of an air regiment of the 370th Air
year. The delivery will kick off in ers, which are sometimes referred from the Irkutsk Aircraft Production Division.
Apart from the Vietnamese Air
Force and Chinese Navy air arm,
the Su-30MK2 fighters are in serv-
ice with the Venezuelan Air Force
(24 aircraft were delivered during
2006–2008) and Indonesian Air
Force (three aircraft were received
in late 2008 through early 2009,
with two more Su-30MKs shipped
by KnAAPO in 2003). The PLAAF
also has operated the Su-30MKK
since 2000, with 76 aircraft deliv-
ered before 2003. In the coming
years, KnAAPO is to manufacture
Take-off archive

Su-30M2 fighters similar to the

Su-30MK2 for the Russian Air Force
as well. A.F.

Antonov offers patrol variant of An-74

At the Aero India 2009 air countering the enemy, conducting take-off and landing (STOL) con- fuel and hydraulic systems to be
show in Bangalore this February, SAR, ELINT and SIGINT operations, figuration. modified as well. Antonov’s foreign
Antonov company from Ukraine detecting maritime pollution, trans- The An-74T-200MP differs from partners will supply mission specific
unveiled the design of its advanced porting and airdropping cargo, etc. its older versions in several impor- equipment, including the surveil-
An-74T-200MP multirole maritime If necessary, the An-74T-200MP tant improvements. It embodies the lance radar, optronic system, SIGINT
patrol aircraft, which is being mulled patrol aircraft can be quickly con- An-74 drastic modernisation concept and ECM systems, etc. The weapons
over by Indian Defence Ministry verted for carrying passengers or devised by Antonov in cooperation suite of the patrol version comprises
experts as part of the tender for six evacuating the sick and wounded. with French, German and Swedish a 23 mm cannon (the same GSh-23
aircraft in the class for the Indian It can operate safely from aus- partners. The concept provides for weapon fits the An-72P patrol air-
Navy and Coast Guard under the tere airfields, including ground the glass flight deck and latest flight, craft in service with Russian and
MRMR (Medium Range Maritime and shingle-, snow- and ice-cov- navigation and communications Ukrainian Border Security forces)
Reconnaissance) programme. In ered airstrips, while carrying up aids, with the powerplant, APU, air- and antiship missiles on under-wing
addition to the An-74T-200MP, to 6 tonnes of cargo in the short craft and engine control systems, hardpoints. P.B.
Franco-Italian patrol aircraft
ATR72-500MP, Brazilian Embraer
P-99 (an ERJ-145 derivative) and
French Falcon 900MPA are com-
peting in the tender. A preliminary
decision on the winner in the tender
is believed to be made by the middle
of the year, with the delivery to take
place in 2012–2013.
The new version of the An-74
Andrey Fomin

will be able to handle a wide range

of missions, including patrol-
ling, supporting naval ships while

32 take-off june 2009 [Link]

industry | avionics

Irbis-E phased array assembly

CUTTING-EDGE AVIONICS
Today, the Ryazan Instrument Plant

MADE IN RYAZAN
(RPZ) is the Russian leader in production
of avionics for up-to-date fixed-wing
and rotary-wing aircraft. A scientific
and technological centre and a video
computer technology scientific and Yevgeny YEROKHIN
design centre have been set up by the
plant to provide support to operation
of its production equipment and
development of units and assemblies
for use in avionics systems and ground
hardware.

RPZ is widely known for its production

of the Bars phased-array radar to equip the
Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters. The company is
finalising the productionising of the sophisti-
cated Irbis-E phased-array radar designed by
Tikhomirov-NIIP institute to fit the Su-35 war-
plane. Many of the radar’s units and assemblies
have been developed by RPZ’s scientific and
technological centre under Tikhomirov-NIIP
technical requirements, including the wideband
four-channel double frequency-conversion
VHF receiver, analogue-digital return-process-
ing unit and onboard computers. The units
Phasing radiation lines assembly for
and assemblies have passed the preliminary Irbis-E radar
tests, and their design documentation has been
handed off to the manufacturer division. Under
the Russian Defence Industry Development acquisition and gather information enhanc- computer family is the SOLO-54 computer
during 2007–2010 and through 2015 govern- ing the safety of low-altitude flight. It fea- now in production for the Su-27SM fighters.
mental programme, the RPZ plant is gearing up tures a mast-mounted antenna. The radar Now, the SOLO-35.01 and SOLO-35.02 ded-
for launching production of radars to fit future has completed the operational development icated advanced-architecture single switched
aircraft. tests, having proven its effectiveness. computing environment digital comput-
RPZ’s scientific and technological centre Another key priority of RPZ is the devel- ers designed to fit the Su-35 fighter and
is developing also a radar designed for the opment and production of airborne radar SOLO-21 intended for the future aircraft are
Mi-28N helicopter. The radar is to perform digital data-processing computers. The first being productionised as a continued devel-
terrain-mapping, aerial and ground target example of the SOLO digital data-processing opment of the computer family. RPZ has also

34 take-off june 2009 [Link]

 industry | avionics

Radar for Mi-28N helicopter high accuracy. It receives and processes

GLONASS and GPS signals and is used in
support of landing. RPZ’s integrated navi-
gation data processing system enhances the
reliability and accuracy of flight parameter
generation and integrates the data fed by
helicopter instruments and systems and the
satellite navigation system.
These helicopter systems have passed all
kinds of tests, having proved their function-
al capabilities and performance. The hel-
met-mounted display and sighting system
(HMDSS) under development by RPZ is
designed for use as part of the cockpit man-
agement system of the Ka-52 helicopter with
the subsequent adaptation to the Mi-28N.
The system is intended for displaying cur-
rent flight and navigation information and
aiming.
Relying on its wealth of production experi-
ence, the Ryazan Instrument Plant is explor-
developed an advanced onboard computer ures immunity and a small size. A relative ing new spheres of the present-day market.
system featuring top-notch characteristics coordinates measuring system developed New-generation avionics development is a
in terms of the composition, return dynamic by RPZ is designed for gauging relative priority objective, whose attainment offers
range, speed and memory capacity to fit the coordinates and speeds of moving objects steady effective development of the company
radar designed for the Mi-28N helicopter. in any weather, round the clock and with in the future.
Since 1999, RPZ has been developing
and making aircraft secondary radar gear, Cases and modules of the
SOLO-21 and SOLO-35.01
e.g. airborne air traffic control (ATC) and airborne digital computers
ICAO transponders. There are several for-
eign and Russian ATC and ICAO systems
differing in characteristics. RPZ has resolved
the problem of their integration and devel-
oped equipment capable of interacting with
all of the existing systems in question. In
particular, a transponder designed for the
Yak-130 combat trainer has been developed
and is in the final stages of flight trials now; a
version of such a transponder is planned to fit
the Tu-214. All Sukhoi SuperJet 100 airlin-
ers designed for domestic carriers will carry
ICAO transponders from RPZ. Transponder
variants have been developed to equip the
export versions of the MiG-29 and Su-35
fighters and work is underway on similar gear
for new Mil helicopters.
Another key field RPZ operates in is
development and production of new-genera-
tion avionics for combat helicopters, includ-
ing the Mi-28N and Ka-52. Such avionics
include the Okhotnik multifunctional video
imagery processing system family designed
for use as part of the Tor and GOES-451
optronic surveillance and sighting systems.
The systems process television and thermal
imagery in real time, while improving the
vision and ensuring automatic target acquisi-
tion and tracking, electronic picture stabili-
sation, etc.
To ensure precision targeting of guided
weapons, RPZ is developing laser guidance
systems for the Ataka guided missile, with
the systems featuring high countermeas-

[Link] take-off june 2009 35

military aviation | news

MiG-29SMT already in service with RusAF

The Russian Defence Ministry As is known, Russia and Algeria for the service to lay its hands on MiG Corp. that is now in a difficult
bought from MiG Corp. 24 advanced in March 2006 made a contract ready-made advanced fighters in financial situation.
MiG-29SMT multirole tactical fight- for 34 upgraded MiG-29 fight- the multirole variant including the As a result, the MiG-29SMTs
ers previously intended for Algeria, ers (28 MiG-29SMT single-seaters sophisticated Phasotron-NIIR’s began to field with RusAF units,
Russian Vice-Premier Sergey Ivanov and six MiG-29UBT two-seaters) Zhuk-ME radar, glass cockpit and with two aircraft given to the RusAF
said on 9 February. Two days later, worth about $1.3 billion. The a widen range of guided weapons. Combat and Conversion Training
MiG Corp. hosted a field session contract was signed as part of Russian military pilots had flown Centre (CCTC) in Lipetsk and 10 to
of the Council of General and Chief a major package of agreements the MiG-29SMT at GLITs State the Guards Leningradsky Fighter Air
Designers and Leading Scientists on arms export for Algeria. The Flight Tests Center during the spe- Regiment in Kursk. In all, CCTC is to
and High-Tech Industry Experts, delivery started in December 2006 cial flight tests and given raving take delivery of four MiG-29SMTs and
chaired by Russia’s Premier Vladimir but by mid-2007 Algeria stopped report to its performance, espe- the Kursk-based regiment – 20. The
Putin, as well as a conference with receiving the MiGs and demanded cially compared with the produc- first MiG-29SMTs sporting their new
the corporation’s leaders, during Russia take back the 15 deliv- tion MiG-29s in service now. paintjobs were delivered to the Air
which approaches to stabilising MiG ered aircraft on the grounds that The only issue to iron out was Force right from the MiG Corp. factory
Corp.’s financial standing were dis- some of the parts and systems of to agree the price and obtain in the town of Lukhovitsy, because
cussed. In his opening remarks, the the fighters were allegedly ‘used’. the money from the federal the Algerian deal had been scratched
Premier said the corporation’s debts Although most experts agree that budget. This took the whole of off before their delivery date. The
resultant from a heavy loan bur- the true reason for cancelling 2008, though the decision had fighters will be followed by the aircraft
den had totalled 44.8 billion rubles the MiG-29SMT deal is political, been taken as far back as 2007. returned by Algeria. They have logged
(about $1.24 billion), but the gov- rather than technical, the fact is Probably, the deal owed its suc- 100–200 flight hours, but after a spell
ernment had taken steps to bring the manufacturer had to take its cessful outcome, inter alia, to in Africa, they will have to undergo
the MiG Corp.’s situation back in planes back, though the remainder the MiG-29 crash near Chita in fault detection and complete pre-de-
shape. According to Vladimir Putin, of the fighters under the contact December 2008, which caused the livery preparations at the plant. Again,
the government coughed up 15 bil- had been virtually complete. grounding of all RusAF fighters these MiG-29SMTs are the first new
lion rubles (about $400 million) Thus, all 28 singleseaters and of the type and revealed cracks MiGs entering the RusAF inventory in
from the federal coffers to increase six twinseaters proved to be in the vertical stabilisers of the more than a decade and a half.
the MiG Corp. authorised capital and unclaimed. However, this was earlier-series fighters, caused by Later this year, the Sokol plant
awarded the corporation an order not for long: on the heels of the metal fatigue. According to RusAF in Nizhny Novgorod will have hand
to the tune of 17.3 billion rubles Algerian refusal to accept the MiGs, spokesman Lt.-Col. Vladimir Drik, off the former ‘Algerian’ MiG-29UB
(almost $500 million), of which the Russian Defence Ministry stat- only about a hundred of almost (UBT) upgraded two-seat combat
11 billion rubles (over $300 million) ed it would buy the fighters from three hundred in-service MiG-29s trainers. So far, of the RusAF pilots,
were received by the company as the manufacturers. Even a number had been cleared by RusAF to fly the conversion to the MiG-29SMT has
far back as the first quarter of 2009. of Western systems and compo- by early spring this year. In addi- been completed by the pilots with the
The money is to be spent on the nents on board the planes did not tion, the contract on the former Lipetsk-based CCTC where the con-
acquisition of advanced MIG-29SMT pose any problem. The thing is the Algeria-bound MiG-29SMTs for version of the combat pilots from the
fighters by the Defence Ministry. newest MiG-29s in RusAF’s stable the Russian Defence Ministry Kursk-based regiment is beginning.
The aircraft began to field combat were made very early in the 1990s, is regarded as a governmental The new MiGs are to start flying in
units early this year. and here comes an opportunity measure aimed at bolstering Kursk later this year. A.F.

Anton Pavlov

36 take-off june 2009 [Link]

 military aviation | news

Air Force receives Su-34s

According to the Red Star daily daily. “This is of principle to our news agency on 7 July 2008. Now, advanced Su-34s may be the
report on 25 February, the sign defence industry and for the pre- the five-year contract has come bomber air regiment stationed in
of the actual renovation of the dictability of our military technical into effect. Experts believe that the Voronezh and operating Su-24Ms
Russian Air Force (RusAF) inven- policy and for ensuring the stabil- first RusAF combat unit to receive so far. A.F.
tory was the beginning of field- ity in the face of the financial and
ing the cutting-edge production economic crisis”.
standard Sukhoi Su-34 multirole According to media, the five-year
tactical strike aircraft built by the contract slated for 2009–2013 was
Novosibirsk Aircraft Production made by the Defence Ministry and
Association (NAPO) named after Sukhoi company late in December
Valery Chkalov, being a part of 2008. It provides for fielding more
Sukhoi company. The third pro- than 30 Su-34s with combat units.
duction aircraft of the type, seri- The first two aircraft are to be made
alled 03, was ferried to the RusAF by NAPO and delivered to RusAF
Combat and Conversion Training this year, then the Su-34 annual
Centre (CCTC) in the city of Lipetsk output is to pick up gradually and
on 20 December 2008. reach about 10 aircraft a year by
There has been an aircraft like the end of the five-year term.
that, serialled 02, fielded with As is known, in 2006, the
CCTC since August 2007, while the then Russian defence minister
first production Su-34 (serial 01) Sergey Ivanov stated that the
and three LRIP aircraft serialled governmental rearmament pro-
46, 47 and 48 have been undergo- gramme designed through 2015
ing the final stage of the official provided for 58 Su-34s to be
trials at the Defence Ministry’s delivered to RusAF. According
State Flight Test Centre (GLITs) in to the then RusAF chief, Gen.
Akhtubinsk. The first two produc- Vladimir Mikhailov, the service’s
tion Su-34s were handed off to total requirement for the Su-34,
RusAF in a ceremony at NAPO’s designed to oust the Su-24 tactical
airfield on 15 December 2006. bomber, stands at about 200 units.
“It is important that the Su-34 Col.-Gen. Alexander Zelin spoke
production and fielding are under- last July about the service’s inten-
way under a five-year contract”, tion to convert two air regiments
Andrey Kokoshin, first deputy to the Su-34 in the coming five
chairman of the State Duma years. “As far as the Su-34 is
Committee on Science and High concerned, we are planning to
Technology and the former depu- sign a long-term agreement for

Alexey Mikheyev
ty defence minister and Russian delivery of the two-regiment worth
Security Council chairman, said of Su-34s”, Gen. Zelin said in his
in his interview with the Red Star interview with the Interfax-AVN

Debut of antitank airborne Hermes-A

At the recent IDEX 2009 arms stage of the SAM used by the The missile uses midcourse
show in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in Pantsyr SAM system. The second combined INS/RF-command guid-
February, the Tula-based Instrument stage has a calibre of 130 mm ance and terminal semi-active laser
Design Bureau (KBP) unveiled an and a 28 kg blast/fragmentation homing. Its gyro-stabilised control
advanced air-to-surface guided mis- warhead. The Hermes-A’s maxi- unit comprises the day and night
sile system designated Hermes-A. mum supersonic speed equals TV sights and two-channel laser
The system is designed to fit com- 1,000 m/s and its maximum range rangefinder/designator, thus ensur-
bat helicopters, Kamov Ka-52 in the accounts for 15–20 km. The mis- ing automatic tracking of the tar-
first place, but can also be carried by sile is housed by the launch tube get. According to Alexander Pavlov,
Mil Mi-35 and Mi-17 helicopters and 3.5 m long. The sealed launch tube deputy Director General, missile and
even subsonic attack aircraft, e.g. needs no maintenance throughout artillery systems, KBP, who spoke
Alexander Velovich

Sukhoi Su-25TM (Su-39). its service life. Two launch packs of with a Take-off correspondent, the
The two-stage Germes-A missile six or eight launch tubes each are Hermes-A system is at the flight test
has a booster 170 mm in calibre, mounted on the carrier platform’s phase, with the 10 km range already
which is commonised with the first hardpoints. proven. A.V.

[Link] take-off june 2009 37

 military aviation | news

Su-35 to entry market in 2011

According to an official state-
ment by a Sukhoi spokesman in late
April two Sukhoi Su-35 advanced
Generation 4++ fighter prototypes
logged over 100 sorties by that
time. “Given the successful testing
of the existing two flying prototypes,
the Su-35 programme will remain
on schedule”, Sukhoi’s statement
reads.
The maiden flight of the first
prototype, Su-35-1 (side number
901) took place at Gromov LII’s
airfield in the town of Zhukovsky in
the Moscow Region on 19 February
2008, and just about six months
later, on 2 October, the second
flying prototype, Su-35-2 (side

Victor Drushlyakov
number 902), took to the air at
KnAAPO’s airfield.
During the first year since the
kickoff of the Su-35’s flight tests,
the two flying prototypes had logged
87 missions by February 2009, hav- test programme is to total 150–160 phased-array radar developed launching deliveries to Russian
ing proven their stability and con- sorties until year-end. by the Tikhomirov-NIIP research and foreign customers in 2011”.
trollability characteristics and test- In particular, tests of the Su-35’s institute. The Irbis-E features the The fighter’s entry into service with
ed the integrated control system, supermanoeuvrability mode are unique target acquisition range. the Russian Air Force “will facili-
powerplant, aircraft systems and to begin in 2009 along with the The production-configuration tate bolstering national defence
navigation aids. The Su-35 flight tests of the advanced Irbis-E Irbis-E prototype set has been and enable Sukhoi to maintain
mounted on the second Su-35 its competitive edge on the glo-
(side number 902) and ready bal market until a fifth-generation
for testing. At the same time, fighter hits the market”. RusAF
an experimental example of the brass have said repeatedly that
advanced radar has been tested on two RusAF air regiments were to
board the Su-30MK2 flying testbed convert to the Su-35 before 2015,
serialled 503 since 2007, having i.e. about 48 aircraft of the type
proven its key characteristics. are to be fielded. “Export sales of
According to a Sukhoi news the Su-35 are slated for Southeast
Andrey Fomin

release, the Su-35 test programme Asian, African, Middle East and
“is on schedule and will meet the South American countries”, the
earlier announced target date of news release reads. A.F.

First production Yak-130 taking to the skies

19 May saw the maiden flight the Yak-130’s systems operated Russian Air Force pilots in April 2002, the main component of the future
of the first production Yakovlev smoothly. after which Sokol was awarded the RusAF training complex also com-
Yak-130 combat trainer from the Upon completion of the accept- launch contract for the first 12 pro- prising the integral testing system,
airfield of the Sokol aircraft plant ance tests to be conducted at duction-standard aircraft. Late last computerised classrooms and flight
in Nizhny Novgorod. It was built Sokol’s airfield, the aircraft is to year, three prototypes (01, 02 and and specialised simulators.
under the governmental contract be delivered to the customer, with 04) passed another milestone of the At the same time with Sokol
for 12 aircraft ordered by the the plant to carry on with the con- official trials, dedicated to testing making the first Yak-130s for
Russian Air Force. The combat struction of the rest of the combat the Yak-130’s basic weapons suite RusAF, the Irkutsk Aircraft Plant
trainer was flown by test pilots trainers of the contract. Some of (R-73 air-to-air missiles, 80 mm of Irkut Corp. is productionising
Roman Taskayev and Sergey Kara. them are slated for delivery this rockets, 50 to 500 kg air bombs the same aircraft under an order
On the 32-min. flight, its stability, year too. with a total weight of 3,000 kg, and from the Algerian Air Force. The
controllability and takeoff/land- As is known, the Yak-130 was the 23 mm automatic canon). The first Algeria-destined Yak-130s
ing performance were checked. selected as the baseline aircraft Yak-130 is to complete its official test are expected to be rolled out and
According to the pilots, all of for basic and advanced training of programme this year. The aircraft is delivered before year-end. A.F.

38 take-off june 2009 [Link]

Viktor Drushlyakov military aviation | report

Andrey FOMIN

RUSSIA’S AIR POWER

HAS BEEN SHOWN TO PRESIDENT
Report from Kubinka AFB
Such an abundance of advanced aircraft has not been seen at Kubinka air force
The displays included such latest designs
base in the Moscow Region for a long time. About 20 warplanes and around 10
as the MiG-29SMT fighter, which first batch
helicopters – both those in service with the Air Force and those earmarked for
service entry – assembled here late in March. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of was delivered to RusAF in the February of
the Russian Armed Forces – President Dmitry Medvedev – was anticipated at the this year, its two-seat combat trainer variant
demonstration facility of the RusAF’s Aircraft Demonstration Centre on 28 March. MiG-29UBT, upgraded MiG-31BM inter-
The defence minister, Air Force chief and aircraft industry leaders were gearing up ceptor, which deliveries to RusAF began last
to report the kickoff of the service’s conversion to advanced aircraft to the head of year, cutting-edge Su-34 fighter-bombers (two
state. It was Dmitry Medvedev’s first demonstration like that, unlike his predecessor, of them had been ferried to Kubinka AFB
the current Premier Vladimir Putin who is familiar with up-to-date aircraft well enough from Lipetsk CCTC), upgraded Su-27SM
and has even tried some of them personally (Putin used to be flown on board the and Su-25SM that had started fielding several
Su-25UB, Su-27UB and Tu-160). A decision was made to give a warplane ride to the years before, improved Su-24M bomber and
current Supreme Commander-in-Chief too. The Sukhoi Su-34 tactical fighter-bomber Yak-130 combat trainer, which official trials
serialled 03, which had been fielded with the Lipetsk-based Combat and Conversion are approaching completion. Naturally, the
Training Centre (CCTC) not long before, was selected to that end. However, virtually
president was especially keen on long-range
all types of advanced and upgraded Russian fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft along
bombers – the Tu-160, Tu-95MS and
with their weapons had been shown to the president at the ramp and in hangars first.
Tu-22M3 – and their armament.

40 take-off june 2009 [Link]

Alexey Mikheyev military aviation | report

Sergey Kuznetsov

Top left: The aerobatics by a composite team made up of four Russian Knights’ Su-27s and Swifts’
MiG-29s and a pair of Su-34 fighter-bombers from Lipetsk CCTC had been honed in Kubinka in the
run-up to the president’s visit but had not been performed in front of him
Top: The latest of the Su-34 multirole tactical strike aircraft (serial 03) received by the Russian Air
Force is approaching for landing following the demonstration flight with Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev in the right seat of the cockpit
Right: The Russian Armed Forces Supreme Commander-in-Chief accompanied by leaders of the
Defence Ministry, Air Force and aircraft industry is being shown the ground displays at Kubinka
AFB
Down: The demonstration is over. The Tu-160 strategic bomber is taking off from Kubinka, heading
for its home base in Engels

Sergey Kuznetsov
Alexey Mikheyev

[Link] take-off june 2009 41

 military aviation | report

The latest acquisition of the Russian Air Force: a MiG-29SMT of the Air Force Combat and Conversion Training Centre in the city of Lipetsk. Such
aircraft have been fielded since early this year. They are RusAF’s first MiG-29-family aircraft fitted with the ‘glass’ cockpit and Phazotron-NIIR Zhuk
slotted-array radar
Anton Pavlov

The MiG-31BM interceptor fitted with its Tikhomirov-NIIP-upgraded fire

control system came to Kubinka from Savasleika AFB. The first four
aircraft like that were fielded with Lipetsk CCTC’s affiliate at Savasleika
AFB in spring 2008, and late 2008 saw the beginning of the deliveries
of MiG-31BMs, upgraded by the Sokol plant in Nizhny Novgorod, to the
combat units of the Air Force
Viktor Drushlyakov

The Su-27SM upgraded fighter from Lipetsk CCTC

features the characteristic camouflage pattern of CCTC’s
Sukhoi planes – the cockpit canopy painted on the lower
surface of the fuselage. Last year, Su-27SMs upgraded
by KnAAPO in Komsomolsk-on-Amur were being fielded
with a second RusAF combat air regiment
Viktor Drushlyakov
Alexey Mikheyev

42 take-off june 2009 [Link]

 military aviation | report

The upgraded Su-24M carrying Kh-25ML missile

mock-ups was brought to Kubinka from Lipetsk
Alexey Mikheyev

This is the Yak-130 combat trainer’s fourth flying prototype that entered the
trials last summer. This year, the Yak-130 is to complete its official test pro-
gramme and will be able to start fielding with RusAF units
Viktor Drushlyakov

The upgraded MiG-29UBT two-seat combat trainer Severa

ls
sporting the RusAF paintjob has not been displayed CCTC’s econds before
Su-34 s the tou
anywhere yet. The Sokol-built and Algeria-rejected carryin c
g a larg ide number 0 hdown. Lipets
e drop 2 k
fighters will begin to field with RusAF this year to mou
nt vario tank an flew to Kubin
us wea d hardp ka
pons oint rac
ks

Alexand
er Otopk
ov

[Link] take-off june 2009 43

 military aviation | report
The newest of the 16 Engels-based Tu-160 strategic bombers, dubbed Vitaly Kopylov, was shown
in Kubinka. The aircraft was made by KAPO late in 2007 and entered the inventory in last April
Viktor Drushlyakov

The helicopter command was on a par with The president was shown the main armament of this Tu-95MS – long-range cruise missiles
their fixed-wing brethren, having displayed housed by its bomb bay
two advanced Mi-28N combat helicopters
(RusAF combat units began to take delivery
of such machines in March), the Ka-50 (the
type already had come in service) and a pair
of Ka-52 prototypes undergoing their official
trials, the upgraded Mi-24PN attack heli-
copter, latest Ansat-U trainer, production
Mi-8MTV-5 utility helicopter and Mi-26
heavylifter. There were support aircraft dis-
played as well – an Il-78M tanker plane,
Viktor Drushlyakov

The Tu-22M3 long-range bomber, which had been ferried to Kubinka AFB from Shaikovka
AFB, was displayed with Kh-22-family missiles on its external stations and an impressive
arsenal of air bombs
Viktor Drushlyakov

A-50 airborne early warning and control After taking a look at the ground displays, pulling off some aerobatics, but also tried
aircraft, An-22 Antaeus and An-124 Ruslan Dmitry Medvedev donned a g-suite and himself in the capacity of a crewmember
heavylifters, etc. A separate display ground a helmet and climbed aboard Su-34 side of a fighter-bomber simulating a bombing
was allocated to air defence systems. In a number 03. The left seat in the cockpit run. The president liked his first experi-
word, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief was occupied by Col. Yuri Gritsayenko, a ence very much. “Fantastic feelings that are
was shown virtually all types of materiel in seasoned test pilot with CCTC in Lipetsk. wordless!”, said Dmitry Medvedev, sharing
RusAF’s inventory and some of the examples Start-up, warm-up, and the Su-34 is taxi- his impressions with pilots and command-
slated for service entry in the near future. ing to the runway of Kubinka AFB. After a ers surrounding him after he had deplaned.
The latter included two newest fighters – the short takeoff run, the aircraft carrying the “I’ve been really impressed. The aircraft is
MiG-35 and Su-35 – that had been con- president is airborne. superb, easily controllable and powerful”.
ceived for foreign customers. However, a Dmitry Medvedev’s first flight aboard Speaking with the military, the presi-
decision has been taken that the Russian a combat aircraft had lasted about half dent opined that the Russian pilots flying
Defence Ministry, too, shall start buying an hour. In the meantime, he not only advanced aircraft should log more flight
them early in the next decade. experienced the g-load while the pilot was hours and that overhaul of legacy aircraft

44 take-off june 2009 [Link]

Alexey Mikheyev military aviation | report

should be replaced with acquisition of

sophisticated designs. He promised he would
facilitate the Defence Ministry’s increasing
the procurement of cutting-edge warplanes
and helicopters. “In spite of the tough
‘90s, we have preserved our technologi-
cal capabilities and people willing to serve
their nation. We have to do a lot. Certainly,
updating our aircraft fleet is important.
Already this year, we will be able to pay for
On the eve of the demonstration, the An-22 from Migalovo AFB had been given a new additional 24 aircraft with the money we
camouflage scheme. When the president was shown the huge cargo compartment of the have saved”, the president said.
Antaeus, he was told that such aircraft had been used for airlifting Russian troops to last year’s Hopefully, Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to
Georgian-South Ossetian war zone
Kubinka will produce results and what he
told the pilots will come true. Anyway, the
familiarising the president with aviation is a
very useful thing to do. Suffice it to mention
that soon after Vladimir Putin’s flying on
board a Tu-160, the Air Force managed to
complete the years-long trials of the strate-
gic bomber and field it officially.

The second Ka-52 prototype. When examining

its cockpit, Dmitry Medvedev was told by Kamov
Designer General Sergey Mikheyev that it was the
world’s only up-to-date combat helicopter equipped
with the ejection seats, which is vital when
operating in mountainous terrain
Viktor Drushlyakov

Right: During the presidential visit, such tricolour stars were painted on the sides of the new Mi-28N helicopters. In all
probability, they were supposed to become new insignia of the Russian Air Force, with their introduction causing such
ov

a heated debate in the military and society as a whole and then being cancelled (these Mi-28Ns were sporting the
Kuznets

customary red stars during the Victory Day parade on 9 May 2009).
Down: The pair of newly delivered Mi-28N combat helicopters with side numbers 01 and 02. The Rostvertol plant
Sergey

launched deliveries of production machines to combat units in March of this year.

Viktor Drushlyakov

[Link] take-off june 2009 45

military aviation | report

Moscow,
Red Square,
9 May 2009
The 64th anniversary of the Victory Day
was celebrated this year with a grandiose
military parade in Moscow’s Red Square
and in the sky over it on 9 May. This time, 69
aircraft took part in the aviation segment of
the parade – twice as many as last year. All
types of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft
in service with the Russian Air Force flew
in formation over Moscow, including the
newest ones that had started entering
service not long before that. Compared
with last year’s parade, the number of
helicopters participating in the event grew
considerably – from three to 17, while the
number of warplanes hiked from 29 to 52.
Traditionally, the flypast was opened
by three Mi-8 helicopters carrying flags
of Russia, Russian Armed Forces and
Russian Air Force. They were followed by
five helicopter formation including a Mi-26
heavylifter, two Ka-50 combat helicopters
and two latest Ka-52s, and then by three
recently fielded Mi-28Ns and six Mi-24Ps.
After the helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft
entered the sky over Moscow, including
five Su-25 attack aircraft, an An-124-100
Ruslan heavy airlifter escorted by four
Su-27 fighters, and A-50 airborne early
warning and control aircraft escorted by
four Su-27s too. The next three groups
of aircraft were led by Il-78 tanker planes.
The first of them simulated mid-air
refuelling of two Su-24M tactical bombers,
the second that of a Tu-95MS strategic
bomber escorted by four MiG-29 fighters,
and the third that of a Tu-160 strategic
missile-carrying bomber escorted by
four upgraded MiG-31BM interceptors.
The aircraft of the Long-Range Aviation
was represented also by three Tu-22M3
supersonic bombers followed by a mixed
group of 10 tactical aircraft, including a
cutting-edge Su-34 tactical bomber, three
Su-24Ms, four Su-27(SM) fighters and two
MiG-29s. The rear of the Air Force parade
formation was brought up traditionally by
a nine-fighter formation made up by five
Su-27s of the Russian Knights display
team and four MiG-29s of the Swifts display
team, all saluting the crowd in Red Square
with the fireworks of their flares.

46 take-off june 2009 [Link]

 military aviation | report

Alexey Mikheyev / Kamov

Two Kamov Ka-52
combat helicopters
over the Red square.
The picture was
made from board of
Mil Mi-26 heavylifter
leading a group of
five helicopters

[Link] take-off june 2009 47

 military aviation | report
Sergey Krivchikov

Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber escorted by a

group of MiG-31 interceptors. The picture was Tupolev Tu-160’s in-flight refuelling imitation over
made from board of Ilyushin Il-78 tanker during the Red square
the Victory Day Parade repetitions in the skies of
Moscow region

Beriev A-50 AEW&C aircraft escorted by four

Sukhoi Su-27 fighters over the Red square
Sergey Krivchikov

Sergey Krivchikov
Alexey Mikheyev
Sukhoi Su-25SM upgraded attack aircraft just
landed at Kubinka airbase after another training
flight during preparations for the Victory Day Parade

One of the MiG-31BM upgraded interceptors from the Tu-160’s escort participated in
the Victory Day Parade for the first time this year
Alexey Mikheyev

48 take-off june 2009 [Link]