Russian outsize freight carrier Volga-Dnepr is intending to forge a joint venture with powerplant manufacturer Motor Sich as part of the effort to restart production of the Antonov An-124.
The joint venture, which has been named "Cargo Flight Vehicles", is being established as a controlling company to supervise the programme. It follows a tentative agreement at a high-level meeting in October to create such an organisation. "Signing of the [joint-venture] documents is an important stage in realising this solution," Volga-Dnepr says.
The carrier adds that the venture will probably be expanded to include other partners with interests in the project, such as the Aviastar production plant, engine design company Progress and Antonov design bureau.
Volga-Dnepr is spearheading the bid to resume production, beginning with the modified An-124 100M-150. Motor Sich and Progress are to modernise the An-124's D-18T-3 engines for the D-18T-4, including the incorporation of full-authority digital engine control and a thrust increase.
Source: Flight International
