Development
In October 2019, UZGA (Ural Works of Civil Aviation) subsidiary Baikal Engineering won a tender to develop a light multi-purpose aircraft for the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade. [2] The first prototype was planned for the end of 2020, to begin testing in mid-2021; certification was planned for 2022 and mass production to start in 2023, while demand was expected for 230 planes. [2]
The LMS-901 is designed to replace the Antonov An-2 after the SibNIA TVS-2DTS was indefinitely delayed. [3] Wind tunnel testing was completed in late November 2020, as Russian regional airlines were interested in 200 aircraft. [3]
By April 2021, an LMS-901 prototype airframe was completed. [4] On 30 January 2022, the prototype made its first flight from Yekaterinburg Aramil Airport, up to 500 m (1,600 ft) and lasting 25 minutes. [1] Serial production at Komsomolsk-on-Amur of 30 to 50 units per year was then planned for 2024. [5]
By August 2022, it had been ordered by siberian operators KrasAir and Aeroservis, with seven to be delivered to the latter between 2025 and 2028, powered by a Klimov VK-800SM turboprop. [6] In January 2023, Russian Aerokhimflot, an association of forestry and agricultural aviation operators set up in 2019, agreed to acquire 120 LMS-901s between 2026 and 2030. [7]
In September of 2024, Vladimir Putin ordered the LMS-901 into serial production, although its intended Klimov VK-800SM engine is not expected to be certified until 2025, with deliveries of the engine not expected until 2026. [8]
In early 2025, officials expressed a number of doubts with the aircraft, stating that additional funding was required. [9] On 14 May, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev stated that development of the aircraft had reached a dead end. [10] This statement was rebuked by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, stating that a state contract had been signed in April for the integration of the VK-800 engine as well as resolving design defects. [11] [12] [13] [14] Certification testing of the AV-901 propeller began in September. [15] By November, the Federal Air Transport Agency confirmed that the first flight of the aircraft equipped with the VK-800 is expected by the end of the year. [16]
On 24 December 2025, the first flight of a LMS-901 equipped with a domestic Klimov VK-800 engine and Aerosila AV-901 propeller took place from Uktus Airport. [17] [18] [19] [20]
Serial production is planned to take place in both Yekaterinburg and Komsomolsk-on-Amur, with the expansion of construction facilities taking place to accommodate this. [21] [22] [23] [24]
Design
The aluminum-made, high-wing monoplane is to be powered by the General Electric H80-200 and seat 9 passengers. [3] Smaller and almost two times lighter than the An-2, it should cost less than 120 million rubles ($1.6 million). [3] The project cost is estimated at 4.5 billion rubles ($62.41 M) and the operating costs (excluding ownership) at 30,000 rubles ($416.06) per flying hour. [2]
It should reach 300 km/h from a 95 km/h landing speed and cover 3,000 km. [3] Optional electric motors could offer redundancy. [3] It should fly a 800 nmi (1,500 km) range with a 2 t (4,400 lb) payload from short unpaved airstrips. [4]
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