All-Russian SJ-100 completes maiden flight
After a long delay, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has finally put a fully “Russified” SJ-100 commercial jet into flight.
On Wednesday, the third prototype of the aircraft, registered as 97023, completed its maiden flight in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, in the far east of Russia.
Developed by Yakovlev, which replaced Sukhoi, the new Superjet underwent an import substitution program after Western trade sanctions suspended the delivery of components to the manufacturer.
Until then, UAC had flown test aircraft equipped with PD-8 engines, which are replacing the SaM146, and evaluated the domestically developed systems and equipment in separate situations.
In 2024, the first SJ-100 with Russian avionics took off, but still with the SaM146 engine. In March, a second, updated prototype flew with the PD-8 turbofan and some local systems.
According to the state-owned company, the flight lasted about 40 minutes and took place at altitudes of up to 3,000 meters and speeds of up to 500 km/h. The SJ-100 even retracted its landing gear during the flight.
The purpose of the third test aircraft was to test the interaction of the PD-8 engines with about 40 domestic onboard systems.
First deliveries expected in 2026
“Today we witnessed a historic event, the first flight of an all-Russian Superjet aircraft. I am confident that this will be an important step towards strengthening the technological independence of our country and will make a significant contribution to the development of domestic aircraft manufacturing,” said UAC CEO Vadim Badekha.
Launched in the last decade to compete in the global regional aviation market, the Superjet was born as a joint venture with Western groups promising to transport about 100 passengers over distances of up to 4,600 km.
The aircraft has quite capable performance, but lacked more efficient after-sales support. Russia’s seizure of Crimea in 2014 and its military invasion of Ukraine in 2022, however, have put an end to production of the first variant due to the Western embargo.
UAC plans to complete certification testing by 2025 and begin deliveries to Russian airlines in 2026.
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Ricardo Meier
Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
