Sukhoi Superjet 100

Sukhoi Superjet 100. The Sukhoi Superjet 100 is a modern regional jet designed and manufactured by the Russian aerospace company Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, a division of the United Aircraft Corporation. Developed as a post-Soviet effort to revitalize the nation's civil aviation industry, it entered commercial service in 2011 and is primarily operated by carriers across Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and several other nations. The aircraft incorporates significant international partnership, notably utilizing a PowerJet SaM146 engine produced by a joint venture between NPO Saturn and Safran Aircraft Engines, along with an avionics suite from Thales Group.

Development and design

The program was launched in 2000 by Sukhoi under the project name "Russian Regional Jet," aiming to replace aging Soviet-era aircraft like the Tupolev Tu-134 and Yakovlev Yak-42. Key design and engineering assistance was provided by international partners, including Boeing for program management and marketing, and Alenia Aermacchi (later Leonardo S.p.A.) which acquired a strategic stake. The airframe utilizes advanced composite materials, and the cockpit features a glass cockpit system supplied by the French company Thales Group. The PowerJet SaM146 turbofan engines were developed specifically for the aircraft by PowerJet, a consortium of Russia's NPO Saturn and France's Safran Aircraft Engines. The final assembly line is located at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant in the Russian Far East.

Operational history

The type received its type certificate from the Interstate Aviation Committee in January 2011. The first commercial delivery was to Armavia of Armenia, which began revenue flights on the Yerevan–Moscow route in April 2011. The largest operator is the Russian flag carrier Aeroflot, whose subsidiary Rossiya Airlines also flies a significant fleet. Other notable operators have included Gazpromavia, IrAero, and Yamal Airlines. Internationally, the aircraft has seen service with CityJet of Ireland, Mexicana de Aviación (launch customer for the long-range variant), and the Royal Thai Air Force. Operational challenges have included sanctions impacting maintenance and spare parts supply following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Variants

The primary base model is the SSJ100-95, seating up to 108 passengers in a single-class layout. The main developed variant is the SSJ100-95LR (Long Range), featuring increased maximum takeoff weight and additional fuel tank capacity for extended range. A business jet version, designated the Sukhoi Business Jet (SBJ), offers VIP configurations. An upgraded version, initially promoted as the SSJ-New or SSJ100-95B, was under development to feature Russian-sourced subsystems, including PD-8 engines from United Engine Corporation to replace the PowerJet SaM146, largely in response to international sanctions.

Specifications (SSJ100)

Data pertains to the standard SSJ100-95 variant. The aircraft is operated by a two-person flight crew and can accommodate 98 passengers in a typical layout. It is powered by two PowerJet SaM146 turbofan engines, each providing 13,500 to 15,000 lbf of thrust. Dimensions include a wingspan of 27.80 meters, a length of 29.94 meters, and a height of 10.28 meters. Performance figures include a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.81, a range of approximately 3,048 kilometers in basic form, and a service ceiling of 12,500 meters. The maximum takeoff weight is 49,450 kilograms.

Incidents and accidents

The most significant accident occurred on 9 May 2012, when an SSJ100 operated by Sukhoi on a demonstration flight crashed into Mount Salak in West Java, Indonesia. All 45 people on board were killed, including representatives from various Indonesian airlines; the investigation cited crew error and air traffic control issues. Another major incident took place on 5 May 2019, involving an Aeroflot flight from Moscow to Murmansk, which made a hard landing and caught fire at Sheremetyevo International Airport, resulting in 41 fatalities. The official investigation attributed the accident to pilot error and poor weather conditions. Other incidents have included runway excursions and emergency landings related to technical malfunctions.