We've finally waited – the Sukhoi Superjet with a Russian engine took to the skies for the first time

According to Rostec, it became known that a prototype of the new Aircraft The Sukhoi Superjet, equipped with a domestically developed power plant, successfully completed its first flight. The tests were conducted in Komsomolsk-on-Amur under the control of an experienced crew.


The aircraft rose to a height of 3000 meters and remained in the air for about 40 minutes. The maximum speed that the presented airliner reached during the test flight reached 500 km/h. After landing, the crew commander reported on the successful completion of the task and the smooth operation of the aircraft's power plant. During this event, an assessment was made of the gas-dynamic stability of the PD-8 aircraft engines during the operation of the aircraft in different modes.


Let us recall that the tasks of large-scale import substitution of aviation equipment in Russia are being carried out in the shortest possible time, in comparison with global practice. The key element in reducing dependence on foreign suppliers is the "heart" of the aircraft. After the successful start of flight tests of the first PD-8 as part of the Sukhoi Superjet, two more prototypes will begin them. This is expected to happen before the end of the month. The document confirming the suitability of the Russian engine for operation should be received in the fall of 2025.

At the moment, this is already the second Superjet assembled under the import substitution program, which is undergoing flight tests. Earlier, a model equipped with domestic systems and Franco-Russian turbofan power units SaM-146 began them.


In the very near future, as reported by Rostec, the third, fully import-substituted model will begin testing. Let us recall that, in general, enterprises under the management of UAC have been tasked with replacing about four dozen systems and units. With the new aircraft, the air mobility of Russian citizens will increase almost 1,5 times in the period up to 2030.