Russia Patents New Widebody Airliner Design

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has filed a patent for a new long-range widebody aircraft, signaling its intent to reduce reliance on Western-built jets and revive domestic widebody production. The proposed design, provisionally called WBLA, would seat between 236 and 320 passengers depending on configuration and fly up to 13,600 kilometers (8,450 nautical miles).

The move follows Russia’s 2023 withdrawal from the joint CR929 program with China, now continued independently by COMAC as the C929. For Moscow, the WBLA project is less about near-term commercial competition and more about securing long-term aviation autonomy in the face of sanctions and restricted access to global supply chains.

Currently, Russian airlines depend heavily on Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s and 767s for long-haul routes. The Ilyushin Il-96, the country’s only domestically produced widebody, is outdated and mainly used for government transport due to poor fuel efficiency and high operating costs.

According to Russian media, the WBLA will make extensive use of composite materials to cut weight and improve performance, following design trends seen in the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. Planned variants include the WBLA-500 (236 seats), WBLA-600 (281 seats), and WBLA-700 (320 seats).

No details have been released about engines, development partners, or a certification timeline. Industry experts caution that UAC faces not only technical challenges but also major hurdles in achieving production scale and securing global support, both critical for market competitiveness. Still, the effort highlights Russia’s determination to sustain its widebody ambitions beyond the Il-96 era.

Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=Il-96

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com