Superjet100 maker Sukhoi is blaming engine supplier PowerJet for delays that will push first delivery of the regional aircraft to Russian flag carrier Aeroflot into 2010.
"We have to revise our programme schedule because of the revision in the delivery schedule of the engines," says Sukhoi. "We are not supplied with the engines for the last prototype and for the first serial aircraft."
The Superjet 100 is to be powered by SaM146 engines in development by PowerJet, a manufacturer founded in 2004 as a joint venture between Safran unit Snecma, of France, and NPO Saturn of Russia.
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Aeroflot had been due to receive its first Superjet 100 in December. Sukhoi says a new programme schedule will be revealed once a "firm schedule of engine supplies" has been received. "I think that by the end of this year we'll be ready to say firmly when the first deliveries will take place," says the company.
Engines aside, the last Superjet 100 prototype is "fully ready", according to Sukhoi ("We even painted it," it says.) The manufacturer expects to have the first serial-production aircraft ready to be fitted with engines. Once engines have been received, a flight-test schedule must be completed before aircraft can be delivered to customers.
The delay to the engines reflects certification rather than production issues, says Sukhoi, which points the finger of blame at Russian partner NPO Saturn. "As far as we are informed the production schedule, Snecma's part, is okay, but NPO Saturn performs poorly," says Sukhoi.
Powerjet was not available for comment.
Source: Flight International
