Russia Tests Light Aircraft Prototype Meant For An-2 Replacement

Russia has successfully flight tested a prototype of a light multi-role aircraft  as a replacement for AN-2 aircraft.

The light aircraft developed by Siberian Aeronautical Research (SibNIA) was tested at Eltsovka airfield of the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant, Sukhoi said in a statement.

“The flight was a success. The aircraft was piloted by SibNIA Director, test pilot Vladimir Barsuk. NAZ took part in production of a large-scale accessory for parts of the aircraft made of carbon fiber composites. Components made of polymer composites using autoclave will be manufactured by SibNIA specialists using production capacities of NAZ,” the company said.

The aircraft design embodies the latest technologies. Panels, spars and ribs of the biplane are made of carbon fiber. Two new wings of the biplane made of composites are joined in the form of “rack” by a smooth junction. As against a traditional biplane wing there are no bracing trusses, which allows increasing cruise and maximum speed 1,5 times. Minimum speed close to zero was reached during the first flight. In the near-term the development will be completed and an airframe made of polymer composites will be manufactured, Sukhoi Company explained.

Development and production of the prototype, which should replace An-2 aircraft, is being carried out by specialists of SibNIA in the network of the Program for development of aviation implemented by Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.