UZGA LMS-901 Baikal

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LMS-901
Light multi-purpose aircraft LMS-901 Baikal.png
LMS-901 Baikal on its first flight in January 2022
Role Utility aircraft
National originRussia
Manufacturer UZGA (Ural Works of Civil Aviation)
Design group Baikal Engineering
First flight30 January 2022 [1]

The UZGA LMS-901 Baikal is a utility aircraft produced by UZGA (Ural Works of Civil Aviation). The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade selected UZGA in October 2019 to develop a replacement for the widespread Antonov An-2. The prototype made its maiden flight on 30 January 2022. The aluminum, single-turboprop airplane is powered by a GE H80 or a Klimov VK-800. It is planned to carry a 2 t (4,400 lb) payload or 9–12 passengers over 1,500 km (810 nmi) at 300 km/h (160 kn) from short unpaved airstrips.

Contents

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]

According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnyev, the development of the nine-seat LMS-901 commuter turboprop has stalled as of May 2025. [9]

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]

Specifications

Data from Ural Works of Civil Aviation [2]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. 1 2 "First flight of LMS-901 Baikal". Dutch Aviation Society. 2 Feb 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Baikal Engineering will replace the AN-2 aircraft" (Press release). Ural Works of Civil Aviation. 6 Nov 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Valius Venckunas (3 December 2020). "Bumpy story of Baikal, newest Russian bush plane". aerotime.aero . Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  4. 1 2 David Kaminski-Morrow (27 April 2021). "Baikal completes airframe of utility aircraft to replace An-2". Flightglobal.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Gastón Sena (22 Jan 2022). "The LMS-901 "Baikal", a replacement for the Antonov An-2, made its maiden flight". Aviacionline.
  6. 1 2 David Kaminski-Morrow (30 August 2022). "Siberia's Aeroservis to take LMS-901s for passenger transport". Flightglobal.
  7. ↑ David Kaminski-Morrow (11 January 2023). "Russian aviation alliance looks at fleet of LMS-901s to replace An-2s". Flightglobal.
  8. ↑ "Putin orders Baikal planes into production to replace An-2". RBC Ukraine, September 15, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  9. ↑ Aviation Week Network Staff (May 14, 2025). "Russia's Baikal Turboprop Program Hits Dead End". Aviation Week. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
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