LMS-901 | |
---|---|
LMS-901 Baikal on its first flight in January 2022 | |
Role | Utility aircraft |
National origin | Russia |
Manufacturer | UZGA (Ural Works of Civil Aviation) |
Design group | Baikal Engineering |
First flight | 30 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.
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 too be delivered to the later 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]
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]
Data from Ural Works of Civil Aviation [2]
General characteristics
Performance
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