By
Vovick Karnozov
AWN Moscow-based columnist
MOSCOW, August 20, 1999 -The last trade day of MAKS '99 was unexpectedly busy. The show site was attended by approximately the same number of visitors as the first three days.
Among the most important order announcement was that by Perm Motors. The company's general director Mr. Inozemtsev said at today's press briefing that the engine manufacturer has received orders and letters of intent for 282 PS-90A2 engines. The PS-90A2 is a modernized version of the basic PS-90A that powers the Tupolev Tu-204, Ilyushin Il-96-300 and Il-76MF transports. It uses a number of western components so as to provide better TBO and longer on-wing lifetime.
Inozemtsev said, however, that the PS-90A is already showing a high reliability. The leading engine has amassed 7,600 hours on wing without removal. Aeroflot has a number of engines with 5,000 hours of trouble-free operation. The PS-90A2 effort is funded by Pratt & Whitney, which holds a 25% stake in Perm Motors. This project, however, has not yet been formally launched.
According to Pratt & Whitney, the funding will be provided in the case that Perms Motors manages to get enough orders to guarantee that the project will at least break even. Perm Motors is carrying out a marketing campaign to convince the PS-90A users to change from the "A" to "A2". Old engines can be upgraded to the A2 standard, while the new aircraft will from the start have the A2.
Inozemtsev said that all key users of the Il-96-300 and Tu-204 airliners, including Aeroflot, Domodedovo Airlines, Vnukovo Airlines, KavMinVody Avia and Perm Airlines, have agreed to change from the A1s to A2s. The first airplane to have PS-90A2 engines is expected be a fourth Il-96-300 airframe in Domodedovo Airlines inventory. Preparation of the respective contract to acquire this aircraft from the VASO factory is being finalized, Inozemtsev said.
NIIP, the Tikhomirov's Scientific Industrial Institute, has announced at MAKS '99 that the company has been selected by Sukhoi and the Indian Air Force as the main contractor for development of the fire control system for the Su-30MKI. The aircraft will have a radar with phased array antenna with digital beam scanning. The fire control system will be able to track up to 16 targets simultaneously and guide missiles on four. The new technologies will allow detection and tracking of aerial targets even if the radar works in air-to-ground mode. This feature will allow the pilot to stay alert for enemy fighter attacks even in the case of flying strike missions. The fire control system for the Su-30MKI will be produced by the Ryazan State Instrument-making Enterprise.
The leasing group "Leader" has announced today that during the three years since its foundation in 1996 the company has arranged leasing deals in CIS civil aviation worth $100 million. One of those deals was that on acquiring and leasing to Belavia a Tu-154M airliner, two Yak-42s to Crimean Air. Also, Leader has arranged a $35 million deal on revolving credits for major overhaul of 50 engines in use on the Il-86 and Tu-154 airliners. A similar deal, worth $8 million, was arranged with Samara Airlines. Leader is currently finalizing preparations on a new leasing deal for an Il-96 aircraft.
NPO Mashinostroyenia (the Scientific Industrial Association of Machinery Building) has today made the first official presentation for the Yakhont universal antiship missile. Although the missile was first shown in public two years ago, at MAKS '97, no figures or detailed information on it was revealed at that time.
Today, Herbert Efremov, general director and general desinger of NPO Mashinostroyenia, said the Yakhont will have a firing range of 250-300 km. After launch, the Yakhont climbs to an altitude of 15,000 m, where it begins to cruise at Mach 20-2.5. Final segment the missile spends at a height of 10-15 m, so as to remain invulnerable to defense systems of warships. The powerful on-board radar on the Yakhont can detect a target like a cruiser at a distance of 75 km. The missile would have a takeoff weight of 3,000 tons in the case of mobile launches ion wheeled chasis and ships. A special version of the Yakhont for Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters and TU-142M long-range antisubmarine warfare airplane will weigh 2,500 kg. The Yakonit is said to be 15 years ahead of western analogues. The first Yakhont launch for an airplane is planned for next year. The missile should be available on the market in 2001.
