First Sukhoi Superjet 100 rolls out (Photos & Video)

Photo Credit: Sukhoi.ru

Today, Sukhoi Superjet 100 was officially unveiled to the international aerospace community at the roll out ceremony. The Sukhoi Superjet 100 is a regional jet family in the 75 to 95-seat category. The Superjet 100 was formerly referred to as the Russian Regional Jet (Самолёт Российский Региональный Сухого), or “Sukhoi RRJ.” The name was changed on 17 July 2006.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 is the first aircraft designed and produced in the new Russia. Today’s ceremony would not have happened without the support of all three states participating in the project – Russia, France and Italy. The rollout was attended by representatives of the ministries and state authorities of these countries. Mikhail Pogosyan, Sukhoi Company’s CEO, said: “Sukhoi Superjet 100 is a child of thousands of people around the globe, committed to the project success with their hearts and souls. It took us all six and a half years to get here, overcoming skepticism and finding our way in translation of international rules of play to Russian aerospace industry and incorporating world industry standards in it. Have a look at the aircraft – I’m sure, it was worth it.” The revealed aircraft airframe is ready for the flight tests – the fuselage had been joined, as well as the wings, control surfaces, and the attached engines. The aircraft is equipped with the major systems, for instance, auxiliary power unit and landing gear. Avionics blocks installation is under completion and pilot cockpit holds all panels, indicators, side-sticks, thrust levers and pedals.

Speaking about the program status, Victor Soubbotin, Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company’s President, said: “It’s a special day for us. A day when we can once again say – it’s just a beginning. We are on the way towards flight tests, entry into service in the fleet of our launch customer and a long life for the aircraft in the sky.” In the coming two months the aircraft is due to be ready for flight tests. For instance the static tests, being performed in TsAGI (Zhukovsky) should be completed. The same relates to system tests at suppliers’ test benches and their integration tests at Electronic Bird at SCAC. After that Sukhoi Superjet 100 will take off for its first flight. Today would be nothing special without the Program partners and suppliers. Strategic partner Alenia Aeronautica, a Fimeccanica company, who will soon become a SCAC shareholder (25%+1 share) and who with Sukhoi Company had already established the Superjet International joint venture for sales at mature markets and worldwide aftersales support. Boeing, who was a consultant to the project from its very launch. Risk-sharing partner Snecma, who together with Russian NPO Saturn (through their joint venture PowerJet) is responsible for the SaM146 engine.

Project suppliers contributed beyond estimation to the aircraft and developing Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company competences:
Avionics: THALES; Flight control system: LIEBHERR (with Russian partner – Teploobmennik); Environmental control system: LIEBHERR; Landing gear: MESSIER DOWTY; Fuel system: INTERTECHNIQUE (ZODIAC); Interior: B/E AEROSPACE; Fire protection system: AUTRONICS (CURTISS WRIGHT); Oxygen system: B/E AEROSPACE; Auxiliary power unit: HONEYWELL; Crew seats: IPECO; Hydraulic system: PARKER; Electrical system: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND; Engine vibration sensors: VIBRO-METER; Wheels, brakes: GOODRICH

Major subcontractors include Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Ilyushin, Yakovlev, and PowerJet. Boeing provides consulting in such areas as project management, market planning, certification and customer support. Snecma is providing some level of funding for the project. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. is negotiating a participatory role.

The aircraft will be equipped with two PowerJet SaM146 turbofans.

The Superjet 100 is intended to compete against the Antonov An-148, Embraer E-Jets and the Bombardier CSeries programs. Sukhoi’s director general Mikhail Pogosyan claims the SSJ will have 10-15% lower operation costs than its Embraer or Bombardier counterparts and its wider cabin will offer more comfort; at the catalogue price of $27.8 mln, it should also be cheaper by 18-22%. On the other hand, both Embraer and Bombardier offer much more comprehensive after-sales and maintenance network.

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC) is a Sukhoi Company subsidiary. Founded in 2000, SCAC primarily aims to produce new models of civil aircraft. The Company’s pilot project is production of Sukhoi Superjet 100, a new family of Russian regional aircraft. SCAC is focused upon the following scope of activity: design and development, marketing and sales, production, certification of the aircraft. Worldwide aftersales support and sales at mature markets is handled by Superjet International, a joint venture founded by Sukhoi Company and Alenia Aeronautica. SCAC has several branches at the production sites located in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and Novosibirsk altogether employing 1,500+ people. Sukhoi Superjet 100 firm order portfolio totals 73 aircraft. Deliveries are to begin in 2008.