Second 'Russified' MC-21 Prototype Made its Maiden Flight

A second prototype of the MC-21-310 passenger jet equipped with Russian-built components completed a test flight from Irkutsk this week, according to United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). The flight focused on evaluating new domestic systems and PD-14 engines.

The test follows Western sanctions that have restricted access to foreign aircraft parts, prompting Russia to accelerate use of indigenous technologies. The MC-21 is intended for the high-demand narrowbody passenger segment.

Test pilot Andrei Voropaev reported that all domestic systems operated as intended during the flight, which lasted about one hour. The aircraft reached speeds up to 500 km/h and altitudes of 3,500 meters.

The first prototype fully equipped with Russian components flew for the first time in April after years of development.

The UAC started certification test flights of the MC-21-310 in June with a nearly fully ‘Russified’ prototype flying from the Gromov Flight Research Institute airfield in Zhukovsky, near Moscow.

The MC-21 aims to replace Airbus and Boeing jets that Russian carriers struggle to maintain under current sanctions. The PD-14 engines, certified in 2018, incorporate 16 key technologies and are central to the MC-21’s domestic production strategy.

Earlier versions of the MC-21 relied on imported parts and had to be discontinued. Delivery timelines have shifted, with first handovers now expected at the end of 2026.

UAC plans to ramp up MC-21 production to 36 units per year by 2030, pending completion of certification flight tests. Deliveries to Russian airlines will begin once all regulatory milestones are met.

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