During MAKS 2011, one of the central places in UAC’s pavilion was allocated to the MC-21 short-to-medium-range airliner under development by the Irkut corporation. The future airliner’s full-scale flight-deck and cabin mockup known from the air shows in Farnborough and Le Bourget was shown in Russia for the first time. Nearby, one could see a full-scale mockup of the Pratt & Whitney PW1400G geared turbofan engine that had come up on top in the tender for a powerplant to power the MC-21. One also could see for the first time a full-scale prototype of the ‘black’ wing of the MC-21 that had been undergoing static trials in TsAGI since May this year.

The composite wing is a feature of the new airliner. The prototype torque box shown at MAKS 2011 measured 10.2 m in length and 2.9 m in width and had been developed by Russian company Aerokompozit in cooperation with the SCAC and made jointly by Aerokompozit and Austrian company Fischer Advanced Composite Components (FACC). Plans provide for launching production of the composite wing for the MC-21 and then for other planes in Ulyanovsk in 2014, with production of wing high-lift devices and other composite elements in Kazan.

The Irkutsk Aircraft Plant, an affiliate of the Irkut corporation, is going to handle MC-21 fuselage production and final assembly. During MAKS 2011, Irkut and German company Durr Systems made a deal for a complete manufacturing line for assembly of MC-21s with the use of up-to-date digital technologies. Under the contract, Durr Systems will develop, manufacture and assemble sophisticated MC-21 assembly systems at the Irkutsk Aircraft Plant, including software-controlled positioning and laser measuring systems. The equipment will be used for assembly of not only future production-standard MC-21s but all of its prototypes as well. This will expedite the productionising and certification process.

According to Irkut, the MC-21 development programme is on schedule, with the maiden flight of a prototype slated for late 2014 and completion of the certification tests and commencement of deliveries for 2016.

The MC-21 orderbook totals 220 aircraft, including options. During MAKS 2011, the Russian Technologies State Corporation, represented by its leasing company subsidiary Aviakapital Servis LLC, and Irkut clinched a deal for 50 airliners of the type (including 35 MC-21-300s and 15 MC-21-200s) from 2017 to 2022 with a total list price of USD3.8 billion plus 35 options. Under the contract, the MC-21s can be fitted with two types of the engines – the Russian-made PD-14 or Pratt&Whitney PW1400G – on the customer’s own volition. The aircraft will get at the disposal of the Aeroflot group’s Russian carriers controlled by Russian Technologies State Corporation.

Other MC-21 customers include Malaysian investment company Crecom Burj (a contract for 25 MC-21-300s and 25 MC-21-200s was awarded in July 2010), Ilyushin Finance Co. leasign company (a contract for 28 airliners with 22 options), VEB-Leasing (a contract for 15 aircraft plus 15 options) and Nordwind air carrier (a contract for three planes with two options).