RUSSIA'S latest commercial aircraft project, the Russian United Aircraft Corporation MS-21 1 (Magistralnyi Samolet, or Mainline Aircraft for the 21st Century) is much more than a response to airlines for a new, efficient medium-range airliner. According to Oleg Demchenko, President of the Irkut Corporation and head of the MS-21 programme: "Russia will not have a future in civil aircraft manufacturing, unless the MS-21 is built".rnAn indication of its importance to the country is the Government's intended allocation of 75 billion roubles (￡1.6 billion) to the programme. This sum is expected to be supplemented by the same amount again from private investors.rnScheduled to be available for service in 2015-2016, the aircraft will offer significant improvements over its competitors. For example, the direct operating costs are to be 15% less than 'the best present aircraft of its class' (the Airbus A320 is taken as a datum) and the fuel consumption will be reduced byrn25%. These performance gains will be achieved by its new wing, incorporating sophisticated aerodynamic features (giving in a lift-to-drag ratio 15% better than that of the A320).
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