Russian aircraft manufacturer Irkut Corp. will roll out the MC-21-300 aircraft on June 8 at its factory in Irkutsk.
The new aircraft was named as a successor to the Tu-154 and is intended to compete with the A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX.
The MC-21 is available in two versions—the -200 and -300—which seat 132 and 163, respectively, in a standard two-class layout, or a maximum 165 and 211 seats.
According to Irkut Corp., the MC-21 backlog includes 175 firm orders. “The number of soft orders exceeds 100 aircraft,” the manufacturer said. Its customers include Russia’s Aeroflot, Red Wings, IrAero, Sberbank Leasing, Ilyushin Finance Co. and Air Kyrgyzstan.
The manufacturer has not revealed the exact timeframe for testing and certification processes, saying the “МС-21 aircraft will be certified both to Russian and international standards. The ongoing aircraft certification is being completed in accordance with МС-21 Certification Basis, consisting of airworthiness and environmental protection requirements applicable to МС-21 aircraft.”
The MC-21 program has been delayed several times. In September 2014, Russian deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin announced the aircraft would begin flight tests in April 2016. In November 2014, it said the first test flight was planned for 1H 2016.
There are two engine options for the MC-21—Russia’s Perm Engine Co.’s PD-14 and the Pratt & Whitney PW1400G. In February, Perm Engine Co. began PD-14 flight laboratory tests. Several international companies—including Thales, Honeywell, Goodrich and Zodiac Aerospace—have been chosen as component suppliers for the MC-21.
