The latest version of the Russian regional jet Superjet 100, equipped exclusively with domestically-produced components, has arrived at the M.M. Gromov Flight Research Institute airfield in Zhukovsky to begin flight certification testing.
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The experimental prototype, number 97003, honors Yuri Ivashechkin, the first chief designer of the SSJ-100, and completed a long-range transfer flight from Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The 6,000-kilometer journey included technical stops at the airports of Irkutsk and Novosibirsk.
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The flight crew consisted of test pilots Dmitry Demenev, Alexander Verkhov, and Igor Grevtsev, along with flight test engineer Maxim Grukanov. The journey lasted approximately 9 hours, reaching altitudes up to 12,000 meters and cruising speeds of Mach 0.78.
“The flight was performed according to the standard profile of the base aircraft, and all onboard systems functioned as expected. The intermediate landings were successfully carried out at major airports, demonstrating the aircraft’s high readiness,” said Demenev.
After arriving in Zhukovsky, the Superjet was transferred to the Yakovlev Technical Complex, where it will be prepared for the certification test program. Upcoming phases will include flights under typical operating conditions to validate performance and reliability.
The domestically built Superjet completed its first flight on April 23, 2025. It is the third prototype to enter the certification testing program.
The jet’s development is part of Russia’s import substitution initiative in aviation. All foreign systems and components have been replaced with domestic equivalents, including engines (now PD-8 by UEC), auxiliary power units, avionics, landing gear, electrical systems, air conditioning, flight control, fire protection systems, and others.
In addition, the aircraft’s fuselage was modified to simplify production and maintenance processes, contributing to improved industrial efficiency.
Chief designer Kirill Kuznetsov stated that the Russian systems performed reliably during the flight and emphasized that upcoming test tasks will involve verifying performance under different operating conditions.
Source and images: Telegram @uac_ru. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
