SSJ100 extra long-range version to be certified by year-end

The current SSJ 100LR version is capable of flying 4,578 km. Auxuliary tanks will add extra 1,500 km (Photo by Leonid Faerberg / transport-photo.com)

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCAC) plans to have its updated long-range version of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) certified by the end of the year. The SSJ 100LR, which is fit with auxiliary fuel tanks, is capable of extended range flights of up to 6,000 km. “The configuration will be one of a business jet,” said SCAC president Ilya Tarasenko.

“We are also looking into extending the range of the jet even further, to 7,600 km,” Tarasenko added. This version of the SSJ 100 is slated for certification in 2018.

The current SSJ 100LR has a range of 4,578 km, and the aircraft’s original version covers 3,048 km.

The new, 6,000 km range SSJ 100s were delivered by SCAC to the Royal Thai Air Force on July 15.

The OEM has also proimised to expand its pool of components for the aircraft before the end of the year. The stock, located at Zhukovsky airport in Moscow will be topped by spare parts and components amounting to 4.6 billion rubles ($73.25 million). Tarasenko mentioned plans for creation of service centers that will be responsible for component repairs. Currently, he said, the fleet of the SSJ100 operated in Russia is not sufficient to foster development of second-hand component market. It will be possible after the number of aircraft in the region reaches 100, up from the current 50.