Maiden Flight Successfully Completed by All-Russian Superjet 100

The SJ-100, also known as the all-Russian Superjet 100, has achieved a significant milestone by completing its inaugural flight. This accomplishment signifies Russia’s stride towards manufacturing a domestically-produced narrow-body aircraft within its borders. The aircraft, crafted by Yakovlev, a subsidiary of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), performed its successful debut flight in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia on August 29, 2023. The flight was confirmed by Russia’s prominent news agency TASS.

The flight tests highlighted the aircraft’s commendable performance in terms of stable system operation, controllability, and airborne stability. The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade’s press release, as cited in the TASS report, acknowledged these positive attributes.

The maiden flight was operated by two skilled test pilots, accompanied by a test engineer on board. Over the course of 54 minutes, the aircraft reached an altitude of up to 3,000 meters (9,842 feet).

Denis Manturov, the Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, commended the achievement as a result of collaboration among numerous enterprises in the aircraft and radio-electronic industries affiliated with the state corporation Rostec. This achievement is in line with the import substitution program, replacing Western-made components with Russian counterparts in various aspects of the aircraft, such as avionics, landing gear, power supply systems, and more.

Notably, the PowerJet SaM146 engine, a joint development by France’s Safran and Russia’s NPO Saturn, powered the test aircraft, while the second test aircraft is anticipated to feature Russian PD-8 engines in accordance with reports from TASS.

Yuri Slyusar, UAC’s general director, emphasized that the SJ-100’s inaugural journey underscores Russia’s ability to advance its aerospace sector independently, without relying on foreign technologies. This accomplishment reinforces Russia’s capability to produce modern civil aircraft domestically. The next phase entails certifying the aircraft with a fully Russian identity and initiating mass deliveries to airlines.

The development of the SJ-100 was prompted by external factors, as Western sanctions escalated following Russia’s actions in Crimea and Ukraine. These sanctions led to the isolation of Russia’s aerospace sector, including restrictions on exporting components and parts to the nation and its airlines after Russia’s complete invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.