MOSCOW. March 29 (Interfax-AVN) - The layout of the future RRJ (Russian Regional Jet) airliner has been refined, CEO of the Grazhdanskiye Samolyoty Sukhogo JSC Andrei Ilyin told Interfax- Military News Agency Monday.
"Grazhdanskiye Samolyoty Sukhogo (GSS) and Boeing at a joint technical meeting refined the layout of the future RRJ Russian regional jet airliner which is being developed by Russian companies and Boeing," he said.
He added that the meeting also involved representatives of Russia's Saturn research and production association and France's Snecma Moteurs.
Several RRJ versions, including the 60-, 75-, and 90-seaters have been jointly considered in March. Ilyin said they took account for carriers' suggestions.
"Amendments and additions have to do with avionics, equipment and interior, and after-sales support. Marketing, sales, development, production, and certification have also been discussed," Ilyin said.
The RRJ program does not lag behind the schedule, he said.
"In late April 2004 we will hold an air carrier consultation council meeting. At the meeting, we will present the final view if all six versions: RRJ 75/75LR (LR stands for Long Range - Interfax-AVN), RRJ 60/60LR, and RRJ 90/90LR," the CEO said.
The following suppliers have been chosen for main systems of the RRJ plane: for the SM146 engine - Snecma Moteurs and Saturn research and production association; avionics - Thales and Aviapriborholding JSO; emergency rescue equipment - Air Cruiser (mother company - Zodiac); auxiliary power plant - Honeywell and Salyut; fuel system - Intertechnique (Zodiac) and Abris JSO; fire system - Curtiss Wright Company (Autronics); oxygen system - B/E Aerospace and Respirator JSO, interior - B/E Aerospace; electric system - Hamilton Sundstrand; pilots' seats - IPECO; landing gear - Messier Dowty and Aviaagregat JSO; deceleration system - Goodrich, aircraft control system - Liebherr and Elektropribor JSO; anti-icing, air conditioning, and automatic pressure control systems - Liebherr and Teploobmennik JSO.
GSS, a subsidiary of the Sukhoi aircraft holding company, was founded in 2000 to develop the RRJ regional airliner in 60-, 75-, 95-seated versions. RRJ aircraft will be assembled at aviation plants in Novosibirsk and Komsomolsk-on-Amur.
The RRJ project was launched in 2001, the aircraft is expected to take to the air in early 2006, and commercial planes are anticipated in 2007.