Liebherr Aerospace has been revealed as the first Western supplier for the MS-21, being selected to supply the landing gear through its joint venture with Russia's Hydromash.
Franco-German company Liebherr is already a partner on two Russian airliner programmes, supplying the air management system and flight-control system for the Sukhoi Superjet 100. It is also a supplier on the Antonov An-74, An-140 and An-148 programmes.
Selection of other Western MS-21 partners will be made by mid-2008, when the MS-21 will pass the critical design review stage. MS-21 chief designer Andrei Matveyev says that most of the Western companies will be invited to participate through a 50:50 joint venture with a Russian firm. Thales is likely to be invited to participate, should the new Avionika joint venture with which it is partnered be shortlisted in the OAK internal tender for an avionics supplier. Should another bidder, Aviapribor win, Rockwell Collins will be invited to join.
United Aircraft (OAK) chairman Aleksei Fiodorov says that securing a powerplant for the MS-21 is the "biggest challenge" , and that OAK is "looking at several ways, including teaming up with Western makers" such as Rolls-Royce, with whom negotiations are the most advanced. The MS-21 needs an engine in the 30,000lb-thrust (134kN) class.
The MS-21 is due to reach the critical design review point in August 2008, and the preliminary design phase in 2009. The flight-test programme, comprising six prototypes, is due to lead to type certification in 2015.
Source: Flight International
