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United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is a state owned industrial giant of Russia combining leading national aviation brands such as Sukhoi, MiG, Ilyushin and Tupolev, among others. The Corporation employs over 98 000 people with an annual turnover of over USD 7 billion. Yuri Slyusar, UAC President recently announced some new twists in the company’s strategy.
First of all, UAC is going to change its industrial model. The idea is to activate and strengthen cooperation with other manufacturers including foreign ones, to open the UAC production facilities to most capable partners. The Corporation will activate all ways of out-sourcing and will probably decrease the number of final assembly plants.
Second, the Corporation plans to adjust the number of aircraft models to meet the existing challenges. In addition to the top priority commercial aircraft, such as SSJ 100 regional jet and MC-21 mediumrange airliner UAC is looking to include the IL-114 turbo-prop that was produced in Tashkent. Between 8 to 12 IL-114 airframes have been partially assembled at the Uzbekistan-based plant and those could be used to restart production at new facilities at one of the existing aviation plants in Russia. Possible contenders could be Kazan, Ulyanovsk, Voronezh and Nizhny Novgorod factories. The total investment in the program is estimated at about USD220 mln., including USD150 mln. on production modernization and USD60 mln. on incorporation of TV7-117ST engines being developed for the IL-112V military transport.
The third step of the reforms is to establish five UAC sub holdings to be responsible for commercial, combat, transport and special purpose aviation respectively as well as for aircraft maintenance and support.
The Russian state gives UAC full support as it should be one of the national industrial locomotives. The State Transport Leasing Company (STLC) recently received funds from the Russian State in the amount of approx. USD500 mln. This allowed the company to attract several customers for SSJ 100. During MAKS-2015 STLC signed an agreement with the Yamal Airline on delivery of 25 SSJ 100 aircraft. Another agreement was signed with the Kazakhstan-based SCAT airline on delivery of 15 SSJ 100 with 5 aircraft as an option. The aircraft will be delivered by the UAC daughter company – Sukhoi Commercial Aircraft within this and next year.
Several Russian regional airlines from Orenburg, Tuva and Buryatia have also stressed their interest to receive SSJ 100 airplanes. We also expect that the Russian Red Wings airline which has a very positive experience with SSJ 100 will extend its fleet shortly.
All that makes UAC optimistic on the SSJ 100 prospects for the Indian market which is one of the world fastest growing ones.
In the field of military aviation UAC’s most advanced product is the PAK FA (T-50), 5th generation fighter. At the moment 4 prototypes take part in the flight tests, rig tests continue as well. In 2014, the T-50 was presented for joint state trials. Three more prototypes should join the test fleet in 2015.
The plane achieved reliable results on sub-and supersonic speeds, low and high altitudes, at critical angles of attack. The avionics testing have been under way. Successful in-flight refueling has been carried out as well as aircraft performance tests in various configurations.
“The main task of the flight tests now is the combat mode performance tests, weaponry integration and use”, says Yuri Slyusar.
In comparison with the previous generation fighters PAK FA enjoys a number of unique features to combine functions of both a fighter and a strike aircraft. The 5th generation aircraft has been equipped with a new highly integrated avionics complex with a high level of automated control and intellectual support of the pilot to minimize the routine work while allowing him to concentrate on tactical mission completion.
PAK FA T-50 is also to become a basis for the Indian Air Force 5th generation fighter and the UAC President is sure that the program will be successful.