UAC revises MC-21-310 performance, reducing range to 3,830 km after technical update

United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has updated the published range of its MC-21-310 narrowbody, stating on its website that the aircraft will offer a maximum range of 3,830 km, a 25% reduction from previous figures.

Originally, the aircraft promised to fly distances of up to 5,100 km, but Rostec, the state-owned company that controls UAC, told the Russian press that the data was only theoretical.

The adjustment results from a shift to reporting actual performance parameters observed during ongoing flight tests and certification, rather than earlier theoretical projections.

The MC-21, an original design by the manufacturer Irkut, was conceived with Western components such as the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine, but development was halted following economic sanctions imposed due to Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine.

UAC then passed the project on to Yakovlev, which developed the MC-21-310 variant, incorporating only Russian components such as the PD-14 turbofan engine and composite wings manufactured in the country.

The MC-21-310 maintains a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 85 tonnes and is intended to compete with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX families.

Despite this, its range is notoriously shorter than the A321neo, which can carry more passengers and travel distances of up to 7,400 km – its maximum takeoff weight is 89 tons.

Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec, confirmed that serial production of the MC-21 is scheduled for 2026, with the first two deliveries planned by the end of the year.

About the Author

Ricardo Meier

Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.

Articles by the author »