First Stage Certification Underway of Russia's Tu-210ON Reconnaissance Aircraft

Russia's Tu-210ON Reconnaissance Aircraft with new homemade surveillance equipment will undergo first stage certification process in Kubinka region on May 21-29, as announced by Sergei Ryzhkov, the Chief of the National Nuclear Risk Reduction Centre.

This event is to be held under the Treaty on Open Skies and is a preliminary demonstration of the technical capabilities of the aircraft and surveillance equipment, Russia’s defense ministry announced. Representatives of 20 states-participants from Europe, USA and Canada will take part in the event.

Commissioning of the Tu-214ON surveillance aircraft is part of work aimed at introducing modern optoelectronic surveillance systems in the Treaty.

The Tu-214ON shall enable the Russian Federation to fulfil its obligations under the Open Skies international treaty. This specially configured aircraft is intended for aerial photography and inspection flights. It will be equipped with special photo cameras to take aerial photos of infrastructure objects when overflying territories of "Open Skies" member states.

It is to be stressed that the Tu-214ON could be used both in the interests of the Russian Ministry of Defence and national economy as well it can provide environmental monitoring of environment, prevent industrial disasters and keeping track of emergencies.

During the preliminary certification at Kubinka airfield, foreign specialists will see design features of the Tu-214ON aircraft on ground and in the air. Other procedures under the Treaty will also take place.

The results of this international event will become the basis for main inspection of the Tu-214ON aircraft, scheduled for September this year.