Sukhoi is closing on the delayed critical design review of the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) after deciding to focus initially only on the 95-seater RRJ-95B (basic) and RRJ-95LR (long range) versions, following poor market response to the smaller 60- and 75-seaters. The move results in a fundamental shift in the original development plan that called for the 75-seater to be baseline and built first, and for the stretched and "shrunk" derivatives to follow.
Sukhoi says the 75-seater may follow if orders materialise, but for the moment it appears the 60-seater may never see the light of day. The first RRJ-95 is due to be delivered to launch customer Sibir in the fourth quarter of 2007, says Sukhoi general director Mikhail Pogosyan. Meanwhile, India's Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) is eyeing a possible 10% stake in the Sukhoi-led Russian Regional Jet programme, but is conducting a financial analysis before deciding whether to join the effort, says company chairman Ashok Baweja. He says HAL could provide structures and systems for the RRJ, including the aircraft's empennage and canopy frames.
The VolgAero joint venture of the Rybinsk-based Saturn research and production association and France's Snecma Moteurs is to start production of experimental SaM146 turbofans for the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) next month.
See feature P38
Source: Flight International
