Industry authority clarifies the future of "Baikal"
The Saga of the LMS-901 "Baikal" Continues
Despite hitches, Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade carries on with the development of the versatile aircraft LMS-901 "Baikal." Engineers aim to iron out kinks in the design as confirmed by the department's press service [1].
Back in April, a contract for experimental design work was inked with AO "UZGA." The agreement includes crafting fresh samples and updates of the VK-800SM engine, the AV-901 propeller, and the aircraft itself, "Baikal." The graphics shows the daunting job ahead: certification work, documentation preparation, and the quest for type certificates, all aimed at expanding the aircraft's operational capabilities [2].
Just a few months ago, Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Envoy to the Far East, Yuri Trutnev, expressed grim news, claiming the "Baikal" project was in a rut, with no aircraft expected on the horizon [3].
Located in Yekaterinburg, Elena Sycheva breaks the latest updates in this report.
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A collapsing regional aviation sector and an unyielding demand for a modern successor to the Soviet-era An-2 have led to persistent efforts to reinvent the LMS-900 series [4]. However, the LMS-901 "Baikal" project has been marred by setbacks.
Plagued by hefty restrictions from sanctions and overburdened capacities prioritizing military production, the project has been slow to progress [4]. In fact, these challenging conditions have stalled the project, with no clear timeline for mass production in sight [1][3].
Despite these obstacles, it's still business as usual for the Ministry. They've got their eyes on the prize: an aircraft capable of hitting cruising speeds of 250 km/h with a range of 745 km when carrying a 1.5-ton payload [1]. With modifications, this range could even stretch up to 1520 km [4]. The aircraft is designed to operate beautifully from short runways, accommodating regional airfields [1].
So, as devs continue to chug along, the question remains: will the LMS-901 "Baikal" see the skies, or will sanctions and production constraints keep it grounded [1][3]? Stay tuned for more updates. [4]
[1] - https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/16101193[2] - https://ria.ru/20230505/baikal-879564776.html[3] - https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/russia-likely-halt-work-new-regional-jets-market-exclusive-2023-04-17/[4] - https://www.flightglobal.com/air-vehicles/russia%E2%80%99s-regional-jets-fade-out/162645.article
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The Ministry of Industry and Trade is working to collaborate with the finance sector for potential funding to accelerate the development of the LMS-901 "Baikal," aiming to overcome the challenges in the aerospace industry. With a robust approach, the project still intends to secure type certificates and expand its operational capabilities, ensuring the possibility of cruising at 250 km/h with a range of up to 1520 km.
