Antonov has been contracted by China Aviation Industry I (AVIC I) to develop a supercritical aerofoil wing for the planned ARJ21 regional jet. The deal was confirmed at this month's Airshow China in Zuhai (Flight International, 12-18 November).
The Ukrainian design bureau will be responsible for optimising the ARJ21's wing and constructing windtunnel models. Development of the ARJ21 should be completed in the middle of next year, with service entry in 2006.
Antonov has also signed an agreement with Shaanxi Aircraft to join its Y-8F600 freighter programme as a risk-sharing partner. Antonov designers will assist in structural design and aerodynamics of the four-engined aircraft, which is a development of the Y-8F400, itself based on the Antonov An-12. Antonov is already involved in windtunnel testing of the Y-8F600.
Agreement has been reached with Pratt & Whitney Canada to power the Y-8F600 with the PW150B turboprop. The new 20,000kg (44,000lb)-payload aircraft will be equipped with US-built avionics. Certification is planned for the fourth quarter of 2005.
Antonov and the Kharkov aircraft production plant have signed a letter of intent with China's State Export-Import Company for the delivery of two An-74TK-300 twinjets to Chinese airlines. According to Antonov, talks are under way to firm up the agreement and secure follow-on deals for 20 An-74TK-300s for several Chinese airlines.Source: Flight International
