The Emergencies Ministry's intention to acquire SSJ100 (RRJ-95) planes became known in May 2014, when the governmental procurement website (zakupki.gov.ru) announced a tender to that effect. Under the deal, the special version to be supplied was dubbed Multifunction Airborne Command Post based on the RRJ-95LR-100 aircraft. The version was offered in the three-cabin 19-seat variant, including the first cabin with four turning seats and four turning and tilting ones, a three-seat sofa and a wardrobe; the second cabin with a seven seat sofa; and the principal passenger's cabin in the rear of the fuselage with a L-shaped sofa/bed convertible, a comfortable seat, a desk, a coffee table and a wardrobe. Provision was made for transforming the cabin into an 11-passenger version with three medical modules.

Later, in July 2014, acquisition of two SSJ100-based airborne command posts was announced, one of them called Airborne Command Post Based on the RRJ-95LR-100 aircraft. Like to the aircraft slated for acquisition under the May 2014 order, the plane is to have three passenger cabins with a maximum capacity of 19 seats. However, its first cabin is to be able to house one or two medical modules depending on the layout. This version's cost is estimated at 1.993 billion rubles (about $53.8 million as of the date of the contract).

The other Superjet ordered in July 2014 and designated as Airborne Command Post with Medical Evacuation Capabilities has differences that are more substantial. It lacks the principal passenger's cabin, and the front cabin fitted with two turning/rolling enhanced-comfort seats and a sofa can house two to four passengers, while the second cabin is fit for six passengers in enhanced-comfort seats. Depending on the layout, the third cabin can be equipped with 48 economy-class seats or one to four medical modules (in the latter case, the cabin retains eight economy-class seats). The version is priced at 1.97 billion rubles (around $53.2 million).

Both tenders resulted on 10 September 2014 in the signature of governmental contracts with UAC that as soon as 12 September announced the acquisition of two SSJ100-95LR (RRJ-95LR-100) "green" aircraft (MSN 95061 and 95069), each priced at 1.2 billion rubles (in the neighbourhood of $32 million) from the SCAC. The aircraft are to lack the passenger cabin interior. Both planes ordered shall have been delivered to the Emergencies Ministry before year-end 2015.

The first aircraft (MSN 95061, temporary reg. number 97008) has been built and flight-tested by the SCAC affiliate in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Its maiden flight took place on 25 May 2014. As of October this year, the aircraft was at the affiliate's flight test facility in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The other aircraft (MSN 95069), which has not flown yet, rolled-out form assembly hall in September. After the factory test programme has been completed, both planes are to be customised in line with the customer's requirements, including the fitting of their cabins with special interiors and onboard systems.

(Photo: Christoph Guler / planepix.ch)