Moscow, April 24, 2006. - Sukhoi and GE announce the beginning of flight tests of the Su-80GP - multi-purpose combo (cargo/passenger) aircraft fitted with two ST7-9B turboprop engines developed by GE.
The Su-80GP is designed to carry, in a pressured cabin, 30 passengers or cargo loads up to 3,300 kg on commuter and regional routes in any geographical setting, in daytime and at night, under favorable and adverse weather conditions.
The initial Su-80GP flights as part of the testing program are scheduled for May of this year. The complete testing cycle includes about 850 flights. As of today, there are two Su-80GPs built, and it is planned to finalize the third plane by late August 2006, and the fourth -- in 2007. The plane's certification is expected by late March 2008 after which it will start shipping to airlines.
The Su-80 GP's hallmark is its convertibility, i.e., an option of quick reconfiguration from a passenger plane into a cargo carrier and back. Preliminary estimates indicate that this will enable the aircraft to accrue more flying time on commuter airlines than any dedicated passenger or cargo aircraft. The Su-80 was developed based on the requirements for a modern aircraft to be used on commuter and regional air routes, such requirements having been identified as a result of analyzing the aircraft inventory in Russia and abroad, the nature and conditions of aircraft deployment and data on typical routes.
Cooperation under the project between Sukhoi and GE began in 1995. Since that time, the CT7-9B engine had been completely adapted for the SU-80GP and integrated with all the systems of the airplane. CT7 engines have been operating worldwide since 1984.
This experience has exposed the engine to a variety of severe environments, ranging from frozen tundra above the Arctic Circle to the heat of the Middle East and the arid region of Australia's outback.
Ron Pollett, GE CEO in Russia and CIS, said: "GE has been successfully cooperating with Russia's major aviation industry companies and airline operators for a long time. More than ten years of our experience working with Sukhoi go to prove that GE is capable of providing an entire range of technologies and solutions meeting our partners' current needs and perspective projects. We do hope that our activities to expand cooperation with Russian partners in this industrial sector will continue to the benefit of all the companies and organizations."
Igor Chernikov, the Su-80GP Program Director at Sukhoi, stated: "We are looking forward to further cooperating with GE and hope to start a dialog with our American partners about establishing a servicing center for this particular aircraft."
Sukhoi Company is Russia's major aircraft holding company, employing about 31,000 people. Among the holding's members are leading Russian design bureaus and aircraft production plants. The Company supports a complete cycle of work in aircraft engineering: from frontend engineering to comprehensive aftersales support. The holding's products, such as Su- marque combat aircraft, are state-of-the-art weapons systems in the global market, which form the backbone of the frontline aviation of Russia and tactical air forces of many other countries. The Company is Russia's major manufacturer of export aircraft, placed 3rd in the world in terms of the numbers of modern fighters produced. The Company is currently implementing promising programs in the field of military and civil aircraft engineering.
GE - Aviation is the world's leading producer of large and small jet engines for commercial and military aircraft. We also supply aircraft-derived engines for marine applications and provide aviation services. GE - Aviation's technological excellence, supported by continuing substantial investments in research and development, has been the foundation of growth and helps to ensure quality products for customers. Since 1992, GE engines have been successfully operated by Russian airline companies including Aeroflot, Transaero, Sibir, Volga-Dnepr, etc. GE - Aviation is partner-company to Russian R&D and scientific institutions such as TSIAM, VSMPO and NPO Saturn.
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