MAKS-2003 Presents RRJ Program Development Stages.

Russian Regional Jet aircraft is going to make its maiden flight in the beginning of 2006. RRJ Project presented at MAKS-2003 is being created by JSC "Sukhoi" Civil Aircraft", a 100% affiliated to "Sukhoi" Design Bureau, in cooperation with the world commercial aviation leader Boeing and Russian aircraft manufacturers - AK "Ilyushin" and "Yakovlev" Design Bureau. Snecma Moteurs and "Saturn" are also participating with their engine SM146, selected to be installed on RRJ family aircraft.

In September 2003 the electronic mockup development will be accomplished and all the aircraft properties will be defined. This November the preliminary design of the aircraft will be finalized and approved, finishing the preliminary design phase.

Besides, this November will see the ergonomic flight deck mockup built up for subsequent preliminary evaluation of crew operation comfort.

In August 15, 2003 the first bidding stage selecting the potential suppliers of the main RRJ aircraft systems resulted in the Short Lists of finalists. Among the Russian winners there are such companies as Aviapribor-Holding, Gydromash, "Salut", SPM-Aero, "Zvezda", Respirator, JSC "Electropribor", Voshod, Teploobmennik. Among Western winners are Rockwell Collins, Thales, Liebherr, Honeywell, Hamilton Sundstrand, Messier Dowty, Intertechnique, Pall, Parker, Air Cruiser, ECE (Zodiac) and others.

"In June 2003 "Sukhoi" Civil Aircraft" along with its project partners - Boeing and Snecma - held RRJ Program presentations for the airlines. The following airlines attended the presentation: Air France, Delta, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Air Mexico, Regional, Aeroflot, Sibir. The great interest to the project demonstrated by the airlines is motivated by significant growth of passenger flows at regional routes. We decided to create the Airlines Advisory Board for joint discussions of the project details, defining the airlines' requirements to the aircraft configuration and properties, after sales support and operation economy" - said Andrey Ilyin, JSC "Sukhoi" Civil Aircraft" General Director.

"Sukhoi" Civil Aircraft" has reached agreement with a number of Indian operators on creation of RRJ version maximum customized for the Indian Market. For the next 5 years Indian Market total demand in regional jets will make up 50-70 aircraft. In September 2003 the negotiations with Malaysian airlines will be held as they have also demonstrated their interest in the project.

RRJ family consists of 6 aircraft versions with optimized passenger capacity (60, 75 and 95 seats) and operation range (Basic and Long Range).

All versions have common wing and single engine. They are in maximum commonality in airframe and avionics, thus ensuring not only development and production cost effectiveness, but providing lower maintenance, overhaul, crew and technical staff training costs for the airlines.

Cooperation with such international aviation market leaders as Boeing and Snecma will facilitate the fundraising process for the RRJ project, which total cost makes up 600mln USD. The forecasted sales amount estimates more than 12bln USD. Forecasted RRJ family total market demand will make up 800 units in 20 years period.

"Regional jets market is a developing very dynamically. Boeing manufactures larger capacity airplanes and doesn't have a similar aircraft in production. That is one of the reasons of our participation in the project, - stated Sergey Kravchenko, the president of Boeing-Russia. - The role of Boeing is organizing RRJ aircraft sales through the Boeing world-wide marketing infrastructure and in after sales support. Boeing will also assist in certifying the aircraft as per the US and European standards, so that it could be subsequently sold there".

RRJ aircraft are going to be assembled at NAPO (Novosibirsk, Siberia) and KnAAPO (Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Far East). Governmental funding of the Project will make up 10%, other funding will come from "Sukhoi" own resources, through the bank financing, loans and partners' investments", Andrey Ilyin said.

JSC "Sukhoi Sivil Aircraft" - is 100% affiliated to "Sukhoi" Design Bureau and deals with the commercial aviation Programs of "Sukhoi" Corporation. The major project is the development in cooperation with "Ilyushin", "Yakovlev" and "Boeing Commercial Airplanes" of regional-mainline aircraft family - RRJ with maximum commonality within the family. Recently the RRJ Project has won the Governmental bidding for development of regional jet. The bidding was initiated by "Rosaviakosmos" and now the RRJ project is going to be incorporated into the Federal Program "Development of Commercial Aviation in Russia in 2002-2010 and for the period up to 2015".

Boeing Commercial Airplanes with its headquarters in Renton, Washington, is the world leading manufacturer of commercial airplanes. Boeing-717 is one of the aircraft family produced by the company. The market segment of this airplane differs from that of the RRJ. Passenger capacity of Boeing - 717 is 106 seats, it is meant for short range routes, quick turnaround and high flight frequencies.

Snecma Moteurs is one of the world leading manufacturers of engines for aerospace industry offering to the market a wide range of power plant products. Snecma designs, develops and produces powerful, reliable, cost efficient and ecologically safe commercial airplanes propulsion systems along with the best quality military aircraft engines. Snecma also designs and manufactures power plants and equipment for space launchers, satellites and space ships.

JSC "NPO Saturn" is a leading Russian developer and manufacturer of gas turbine equipment for aviation and other industries. The range of "Saturn" products offers the engines both for military and commercial aircraft, power plants for "Gazprom", UAV engines. The highest scientific and technological level combined with the same quality production capabilities ensure "NPO Saturn" high potential in implementing advanced gas turbine development and production projects.