Last Update: at 16:32

Russian jet

Irkut tests MS-21 on water

The plane is to compete with Airbus A320 and Boeing 737: The Russian MS-21 now had to prove itself on a wet runway as part of its test program.

Covid-19 has caused a delay in the test program of the Russian short- and medium-range jet MS-21. Meanwhile there are doubts whether the certification of the new aircraft will be successful this year as planned. However, the tests are running again.

Manufacturer Irkut carried out tests on wet runways between July 16 and 22. At the West Russian airport Ulyanovsk Vostochny, an MS-21-300 completed more than 30 tests at speeds of up to 278 kilometres per hour. On Wednesday (August, 5), the manufacturer announced that initial results would show that the main and auxiliary engines and other systems of the jet had always worked flawlessly. There had also been no difficulties in checking the aircraft on wet runways.

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