MOSCOW. Dec 31 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Defense Ministry does not rule out the use of the TU-330 plane in the interests of the military-transport aviation, a competent source in the ministry told Interfax-Military News Agency on Tuesday.
"Even though the State Armament Program for up to 2010 does not include the TU-330 plane, its use as a military transport plane is under consideration," the source said.
"The cargo variety of the TU-330 may be built for civilian use using assistance from the Transportation Ministry and Aviation and Space Agency. In this case, the Defense Ministry will be ready to consider modifying the plane for use in the interests of the military transport aviation," he noted.
"The Defense Ministry has no funds to invest in research, development and test projects related to the TU-330 development. However the military may join the TU-330 production program at a certain stage," the source said.
"Some military believe that the TU-330 plane has promising specifications," he noted.
According to the source, there may be two stages in expanding possibilities for using the TU-330. It will be powered by PS-90A engines on the first stage and by NK-93 engines on the second stage.
"Adjustment of civilian PS-90A to requirements of the Defense Ministry is underway," the expert said.
"The Air Force has suspended the work of the TU-330's main competitor, the AN-70 joint Russian-Ukrainian plane that is included in the Russian State Armament Program. However a decision on adopting a different aircraft can only be made on the governmental level," the source stressed.
"There are certain intergovernmental agreements and obligations regarding the AN-70 that are still valid. Nobody has revoked them," he noted.
The TU-330 has a maximum take-off weight of 103t (it is possible to take off with a weight of 114.7t), maximum payload of 35t and cruising speed of 830kmph. Fuel consumption is 3,500kg per hour. Operation range amounts to 5,600km with a load of 20t and 3,000km with a load of 35t.
Experts evaluate the capacity of the market for planes of the TU-330 type at 700-800 items.