Sukhoi Superjet 100

infobox Aircraft
name = Sukhoi Superjet 100
type = Regional airliner
manufacturer = Sukhoi Civil Aircraft



caption =
designer = Sukhoi
first flight = 19 May 2008 [ [http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=182284&cid=1 Беярх.Ru: Мнбнярх, Бхден Х Тнрн Дмъ ] ]
introduction = 2009
retired =
produced = 2007 - present
primary user =Aeroflot
number built = 1
status = In development
unit cost = US$27.8 mil (2007) [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/02/06/211879/export-driven-the-sukhoi-superjet.html Flight International: Export Driven: The Sukhoi Superjet] ]
variants with their own articles = Superjet 100-75 & Superjet 100-95

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 is a modern, fly-by-wire regional jet in the 75- to 95-seat category. The Superjet 100 will be produced by Russian aerospace firm Sukhoi's civil division, of which Finmeccanica of Italy owns 25%.Ezard, K. and Zaitsev, T. "Finmeccanica confirms taking risk-sharing stake in Sukhoi's Russian Regional jet." "Flight International", 21 April 2006 [http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/04/21/Navigation/177/206097/Finmeccanica+confirms+taking+risk-sharing+stake+in+Sukhoi's+Russian+Regional.html Finmeccanica confirms taking risk-sharing stake in Sukhoi's Russian Regional jet] ] The jet is being developed in collaboration with Finmeccanica subsidiary Alenia Aeronautica. Italian design group Pininfarina has been tasked with designing optional interiors. [ [http://www.italiaspeed.com/2008/cars/others/pininfarina/06/alenia/1406.html italiaspeed.com ] ]

Design

The Superjet 100 was formerly referred to as the Russian Regional Jet (Самолёт Российский Региональный Сухого), or "Sukhoi RRJ". The name was changed on 17 July 2006.Baker C. "Sukhoi rebrands RRJ, with competitive price." "Flight Daily News", 18 July 2006 [http://www.flightglobal.com/Assets/GetAsset.aspx?ItemID=13806 Sukhoi rebrands RRJ, with competitive price] ]

Major subcontractors include Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Ilyushin, Yakovlev, and PowerJet. Boeing provides consulting in such areas as project management, market planning, certification and customer support. Snecma is providing some level of funding for the project. Hindustan Aeronautics was negotiating a participatory role in the project and even committed US$100 million to fund it but later withdrew in favor of Il-214 tactical transport aircraft. [ [http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/jun/21jets.htm Sukhoi to supply jets to Alliance Air ] ]

The aircraft will be equipped with two Saturn/SNECMA PowerJet SaM146 turbofans.

The Superjet 100 is intended to compete against the Antonov An-148, Embraer E-Jets and the Bombardier CSeries programs. Sukhoi's director general Mikhail Pogosyan claims the SSJ will have 10-15% lower operation costs than its Embraer or Bombardier counterparts and its wider cabin will offer more comfort; at the catalogue price of $27.8 mln, it should also be cheaper by 18-22%. On the other hand, both Embraer and Bombardier offer much more comprehensive after-sales and maintenance network.

The three variants were originally called the RRJ-60, RRJ-75 and RRJ-95, with the numbers designating the average passenger capacity of each type. However, with the renaming of the project to "Superjet 100", the RRJ-75 was relabelled the "Superjet 100-75" (or SSJ 100-75 for short), while the RRJ-95 became known as the "SSJ 100-95". The smallest variant was dropped completely and efforts are currently concentrating on the largest variant, with the smaller SSJ 100-75 to follow later on. A longer SSJ 100-110 is also projected, but would be limited to a maximum capacity of 110 passengers due to Sukhoi's agreement with Boeing, as any larger aeroplane would compete with the U.S. company's own product lineup. [ [http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2007/02/06/211873/russian-revolution-the-sukhoi-superjet.html Flight International: Russian Revolution: The Sukhoi Superjet] ]

The Superjet 100 airliner family is being developed based on the principle of maximum standardization of frame assemblies and systems, viz: wings, fins, chassis, engine unit, crew cabin, basic aircraft systems and component parts. The standardization of the design will make it possible to improve the economic performance of the aircraft family operation with expenditures kept at a rational level.

The aerodynamics and design of the aircraft of the family are based on proven advanced technology to minimise technical risks at the stage of design, testing and operation. To broaden the customer base among airlines, each of the three standard sizes of the aircraft in the family has a basic and an LR modification designed for use on a network of various length routes to make it possible for airlines to improve the economic performance of their operations through a more balanced composition of their fleets based on the route structure and passenger flows.

The design meets the specific requirements of airlines in Russia, the CIS, and western countries, and conforms to the Aviation Rules AP-25, FAR-25, JAR-25 requirements, and to the ground noise level requirements under ICAO Chapter 4 and FAR 36 Section 4 standards entering into force during 2006.

Some note that the design features of SSJ are common with cancelled FD-728 project by Fairchild-Dornier. [ [http://parfaits.livejournal.com/184919.html parfaits: его искали, он нашёлся - настоящий прото ] ] [ [http://parfaits.livejournal.com/273711.html parfaits: ещё материал за близкие родственные связ ] ] [ [http://www.expert.ru/printissues/expert/2002/34/34ex-povest4/ Немецкие самолетостроители уповают на Россию — Эксперт Online 2.0 ] ]

Development and delivery schedule

The deliveries were scheduled to begin in late 2008, and Sukhoi predicted that 163 units of all variations of the Superjet 100 would be delivered by the end of 2016. ["Aviation Week & Space Technology", issue of 29 October 2007, p. 66.] On July 7, 2008, Sukhoi officially confirmed that the original schedule was too optimistic, and first deliveries are to be started in the second half of 2009. No exact date was specified. [ [http://www.vremya.ru/print/207843.html The Superjet is being delayed (in Russian)] ] An anonymous source at Sukhoi reported to Reuters, that the certification testing of the plane is expected to finish in the third quarter of 2009. Only after that Sukhoi will be ready to start the first deliveries. [ [http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USL078981720080707 Russia Sukhoi sees Superjet delivery Q3 '09] ]

In the middle of February 2008, the SaM146 initial engine runs went successfully, gearing up for the maiden flight. This occurred at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Manufacturing Association. The engine test followed a test on an Ilyushin Il-76, a testbed aircraft for the Gromov Flight Research Institute. It is expected to be certified and flying by November. ["News." Airliner World : 11.]

The jet was unveiled at its official rollout at Dzemgi Airport, Komsomolsk-on-Amur on 26 September 2007. [http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL2650515820070926?sp=true Russia unveils new passenger jet] , "Reuters", Access date: 26 September 2007] The first test flight took place on 19 May 2008 also at the Dzemgi airport. [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/05/19/223828/picture-superjet-100-makes-maiden-flight.html PICTURE: Superjet 100 makes maiden flight] , "Flight International", Access date: 19 May 2008.] The Superjet spent 1 hour 5 minutes in the air, and reached altitude of 1,200 meters.

Initially Sukhoi planned to produce the plane in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia, but pressured by airlines and partners is now is considering moving production to European Russia.

Operational history

On 28 January 2007, the first SSJ was transported by an Antonov 124 from Komsomolsk-on-Amur to the city of Zhukovsky near Moscow for ground tests at Zhukovsky Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute.Fact|date=December 2007 A representative of Sukhoi Civil Aircraft announced on 13 November 2007, the completion of static tests necessary for conducting the first flight.Fact|date=December 2007 The maiden flight was conducted on 19 May 2008. [ [http://en.rian.ru/business/20080519/107719405.html Russian News and Information Agency] ] Flight testing has since continued but under very strict security, with minimal information being shared with the public. This has inevitably given rise to many rumours, some of which include the complete structural failure of the "iron bird" static test-frame, and serious flaws being discovered in the flying prototype. Sukhoi has not confirmed any of these rumours but have pushed the Entry Into Service date even further back.Fact|date=October 2008

Orders and options

Air France, [ [http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/FRNews1/FRNews03/FR030323.htm#RRJ RRJ] ] Lufthansa, [ [http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fde.rian.ru%2Fbusiness%2F20070517%2F65659192.html&lp=de_en&btnTrUrl=%C3%9Cbersetzen Business] ] SAS, [ [http://www.sukhoi.org/eng/news/company/?id=606 Sukhoi] ] Iberia, [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2005/russia-050405-rianovosti08.htm Russia News] ] UTair Aviation, MDLR Airlines and Merpati Nusantara Airlines [ [http://lenta.ru/news/2007/10/24/ssj/ SSJ] ] are potential customers.

S7 Airlines (former Sibir) was the first airline to place an order for 50 Superjet 95 and 20 options for the same aircraft, but later cancelled the order arguing the fact that the aircraft’s revised specifications no longer meets its requirement. [ [http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/02/07/Navigation/252/204530/Sibir+drops+RRJ+plan+after+specification+change.html Sibir drops plan] "Flight Global"]

Dalavia is close to finalising a deal to acquire up to 25 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft for use on regional routes in the Russian Far East. Completion of the deal is delayed while it is in talks with Aeroflot over a potential merger and formation of a new Far East division of Aeroflot. Dalavia has already ordered 6 SSJ. [Airliner World January 2007] [ [http://www.sukhoi.com.ru/eng/news/company/?id=886 Sukhoi Company] ]

Malev Hungarian Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines System are reported to be finalizing orders for the SSJ-100, and an Indonesian airline is reported to be considering the airliner. Fact|date=May 2007 Alliance Air of India has also expressed interest in SSJ-100 and is reported to be in advanced negotiation stage. [ [http://www.domain-b.com/aero/june/2007/20070622_sukhoi_civil.htm Sukhoi civil] ]

Armenia’s national airline, Armavia signed on 14 September 2007, a multimillion-dollar agreement to buy four Sukhoi Superjet 100 planes for regional flights. Under the agreement signed in Yerevan by Armavia and Sukhoi, the Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft will be delivered to the private carrier over the next five years. The first two deliveries are due to take place late 2008 and early 2009. [ [http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniareport/report/en/2007/09/CBA2D318-8405-42F9-B062-525AAD942542.ASP Armavia buys 4 Sukhoi Superjet 100 airplanes] ]

Avia Leasing acquired 24 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft in basic configuration with a further option for 16 additional aircraft on the second day of the 2008 Farnborough Airshow. The order has a total value of over $630 million. [ [http://www.avialeasing.biz/en/about/3/9/17/ Компания АВИАЛИЗИНГ - News - July 15 2008, Farnborough, UK ] ]

On 2008-06-24 Valery Okulov, director general of Aeroflot, announced that delays in SSJ program may force the airline to look for temporary lease of airplanes of similar to SSJ type. He did not clarify what airplanes were being considered. [ [http://www.aviaport.ru/digest/2008/06/25/151726.html Aeroflot is looking for SSJ replacement (in Russian)] ]

Specifications

* ¹ The SSJ 100-60 [http://www.deagel.com/Regional-Jets/Superjet-100-60_a000129001.aspx *] project has been cancelled and will not be built.

See also

aircontent
related =
similar aircraft =
* Embraer E-Jets
* Bombardier CRJ700/900/1000
* Bombardier CSeries
* ACAC ARJ21
* Antonov An-148
* Mitsubishi MRJ
* Fairchild Dornier 728 family
sequence =
lists =
* List of airliners

References

Notes

Weblinks Pictures

*http://www.avia.ru/photo/ssj100/#

Bibliography

* Donald, David and March, Daniel J. "Modern Battlefield Warplanes". AIRtime Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-880588-76-5.
* Gordon, Yefim and Dawes, Alan. "Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot: Close Air Support Aircraft". London: Airlife, 2004. ISBN 1-84037-353-9.

External links

* [http://sukhoi.superjet100.com/?language=en Sukhoi Superjet Official Website]
* [http://www.sukhoi.org/eng/ Sukhoi Company]
* [http://russiatoday.ru/news/news/14738/video "The ceremony of unveiling the Sukhoi Superjet 100" video report from Russia Today]
* [http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20070213/60659028.html Superjet to be tested for strength - RIA Novosti]
* [http://www.gpsearch.org/news/780.html The Sukhoi Superjet 100 - the All-New Russian Aircraft - Successfully Completed Its Maiden Flight in Komsomolsk-on-Amur - GPSearch.Org]
* [http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/sep2007/gb20070926_037362.htm Russia's New Airliner Readies for Takeoff] , by Jason Bush, "Business Week", 26 September 2007