Schemes to reinstate An-124 pro¬duction have been kicking around for a while but began to take shape with the emergence of UAC, which devised a business plan acceptable to the Russian and Ukrainian governments. The resurgence in government aerospace and defense spending also played a crucial role.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev recently approved a plan to restart production of an upgraded An-124 version at the Aviastar-SP plant in Ulyanovsk, under the responsibility of United Aircraft Corp. (UAC). Known as the An-124-500, it would feature a glass cockpit for four crewmembers and enhancements to the aircraft’s Motor Sich D18-T powerplant that would boost range and payload and double the aircraft’s operating life to 50,000 hr. Deliveries would begin by 2014-15.

Volga-Dnepr Group–which with UAC and the Antonov design bureau has led the fight to restart production–says the upgrade was recently validated by Russia’s Central Aerohydrodyamics Institute (TsAGI) and the State Research Institue of Civil Aviation. However, for the new plan to go forward, Moscow must agree to invest $500 million to retool the plant and refurbish the assembly line, and launch customers must come forward with firm commitments.

VolgaDnepr says it is ready to commit to 20 of the new An-124s during 2011-20 and another 20 during 2021-27.
According to the air cargo operator, studies show the outsize freight service market has grown 30% annually during the past five years, to more than $1.1 billion, and will reach $7 billion by 2030. Consulting company SH&E predicts this will translate into a need for 70 An-124s.

However, it is not yet clear if the defense ministry, which already has a long list of hardware purchases on its wish list, is interested in a new An-124 acquisition just now. The ministry may place higher priority on renovating the 24 An-124s currently listed in the Russian air force inventory, most of which require a major overhaul.

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“Today is truly a proud and historic day for the global team who has worked tirelessly to design and build the 787 Dreamliner — the first all-new jet airplane of the 21st century. We look forward to the upcoming flight test program and soon bringing groundbreaking levels of efficiency, technology and passenger comfort to airlines and the flying public,” Francher announced.

More than 12,000 employees and guests watched as the plane rose into the air at 10:27 a.m. (1:27 p.m. ET) from Paine Field in Everett. It landed more than three hours later and about 40 miles away at Seattle’s Boeing Field after having flown at a speed of 207 mph at 15,000 feet — typical for a maiden flight, the company said.

“It’s good is see that plane fly,” said Richard Aboulafia, an analyst with the Teal Group in Washington. “With all the delays, you begin to question when things will get on track.”
Video: Dreamliner takes flight
Video: Dreamliner’s smooth landing

During their time aloft, the chief pilot and captain tested some of the airplane’s systems and structures while flight data were transmitted electronically to a team of engineers at Boeing Field.

“The flight marks the beginning of a flight test program that will see six airplanes flying nearly around the clock and around the globe, with the airplane’s first delivery scheduled for fourth quarter 2010,” Boeing’s news release said.

Boeing promises passengers “a better flying experience” that includes cleaner air and bigger windows, more luggage space and better lighting. It promises airline operators greater efficiency by burning 20 percent less fuel than current models of comparable size and by providing as much as 45 percent more space for cargo.

So far, 55 customers have ordered 840 of the 787 planes. The official price of one such plane is $150 million.

“We think this is going to be a very efficient airplane,” Jim Albaugh, Boeing executive vice president and CEO, told CNN. “It’s going to change the way people travel.”

Despite the delays, Boeing’s first new commercial airliner in more than a decade will still be relevant, Albaugh said Monday.
It will be considered a game changer in 10 years.
–Richard Aboulafia, analyst

“It’s more environmentally friendly, it’s more efficient, uses less fuel, it’s going to cost the operator less to fly, it’s going to allow the passengers to pay less and feel better when they land,” he said.

“It will be considered a game changer in 10 years,” Aboulafia said of the aircraft that sill must clear a yearlong certification process.

Boeing’s fuel claims are linked to its design; it is the first major airliner to be made mostly of composite materials. As a result, it’s lighter.

Depending on the configuration, the plane can seat 200 to 300 passengers and can travel more than 2,500 nautical miles, making it an attractive aircraft for point-to-point international travel.

“Everyone wants it. Everyone needs it,” said Aboulafia. “It’s just a question of how long will it take to get it up to expectations” as the plane goes through the normal ups and downs of rolling out a new aircraft.

Boeing’s 787 is set to a 10-month schedule of flight tests. Commercial flying for this aircraft will happen by 2011.

Source: CNN.com

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