The future of the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) programme hinges on the result of a government tender for 200 next-generation regional jets, due to be revealed by Russian aerospace agency Rosaviakosmos (RAKA) this month.
The RRJ, being developed by a consortium headed by Sukhoi and including Ilyushin and adviser Boeing, is competing for the government tender against Ilyushin, Myasishchev and Tupolev (Flight International, 19-25 November 2002). It is believed that if RAKA does not select the 60-to 95-seat RRJ family, the project is likely to be abandoned.
Sukhoi Civil Aircraft general director Andrei Ilyin believes the RRJ has several advantages over its rivals, such as the family aircraft concept, more airline input on aircraft definition, and international marketing opportunities through Boeing.
Meanwhile, the RRJ consortium has delayed announcing its engine selection for the aircraft, which was due last month. Selection of the RRJ's manufacturing site has also been put off and is not expected until May, with all project participants due to be named by August.
Two engine bids are being studied, one from a partnership of Pratt & Whitney Canada, MTU and Aviadvigatel, and the other from a Snecma/NPO Saturn consortium. Ilyin says both engines have been studied and are "very close in technical and economical terms. The choice will be made after assessment of technical risks."
The consortium has completed the second phase of RRJ development studies, focused on flight performance and cabin parameters of three variants - the 75-seat RRJ-75, the shortened 60-seat RRJ-60, and the stretched 95-seat RRJ-95. Talks continue with Yakovlev over the extent of its involvement. First flight of the RRJ is planned for 2006 with service entry in 2007.
Source: Flight International
