NOVOSIBIRSK. July 25 (Interfax-AVN) - The Novosibirsk aircraft production association (NAPO) is ready to resume preparations for mass production of the new SU-49 trainer with piston engine, NAPO Director General Alexander Bobryshev said on Friday.
"We will return to discussing mass production of the SU-49 trainer in the near future. The issue is to be considered at a conference that will involve all interested parties," Bobryshev told Interfax-Military News Agency.
The preparations for mass production of the plane were suspended on their initial stage, he said.
"The classical process of preparations for mass production was launched, but we had to suspend it because there were no prospects of getting funds for the program," he said.
According to Bobryshev, "the Sukhoi design bureau has made the complete set of documents related to the SU-49 on paper. However the decision was made to create and update all documents in 3D because it is a new plane, and this has already been done. The SU-49 will be produced on a promising no-paper technology."
The SU-49 is intended for giving initial piloting skills to cadets of Air Force higher educational establishments, aviation clubs of the Russian Defense Sports and Technical Society, and civil aviation colleges.
It is a day/night all-weather twin-seater enabling cadets to master complicated maneuvers and practice air-to-air and air-to- surface combat engagement.
The wing, tail, empennage and fuselage surfaces of the aircraft will be made mostly of composite materials. It will be powered by the M-9F radial piston air-cooled engine designed by the Voronezh Engine Plant. The four- stroke nine-cylinder engine is developing 420hp and running in aircraft or automobile petroleum.
According to experts, the SU-49 is distinguished by advanced maneuverability. It is capable of withstanding overload of up to 9g. The aircraft's maximum design speed is 430 kmph. Its practical flight range with fuel reserve for 30 minutes amounts to 1,200km. The specified service life is 10,000 flight hours of 30 years.
The domestic market demand for planes of this class is estimated at 300 pieces for the Air Force and 1,000 pieces for the Russian Defense Sports and Technical Society.