Premium: The CR929: A Program Status Update

The CR929 is a joint Chinese-Russian wide-body aircraft design that will be produced by CRAIC, the China-Russia Commercial Aircraft International Corporation, a joint venture of United Aircraft Corporation in Russia and COMAC in China. The companies plan to share investment, technology, and development risks in the program while combining their intellectual, technological, and other resources to create a competitive wide-body aircraft for the future. The CR929 was named with the Latin Letters designating the participants, C for China and R for Russia, with 9 meaning loyalty in the Chinese culture, and 2 meaning reciprocity and symbolizing partnership and creativity. CRAIC has laid out a series of requirements for the new aircraft that are significant: • A 10-15% advantage in operating expenses per seat versus the B787 and A350 • A 15-18% advantage in fuel burn per seat • A wider fuselage and improved comfort • The use of composite materials for more than 50% of the airframe structure • Incorporation of advances in aerodynamics • An advanced man-oriented cockpit with maximum automation The Aircraft Three versions of the CR929 are planned, with the base version the CR929-600, a shortened version the CR929-500, and a stretched version the CR929-700. The base version will have a capacity of 280 passengers in a standard three-class layout, with a range of about 12,000km or about 6,480 nautical miles. Engines for the aircraft have not yet been selected, but in May 2018, RFPs were sent to 7 different propulsion system suppliers in Russia, China, the USA and Europe. Analysis of responses to the RFP are expected to be completed by the end of 2018. Milestones The project began in April 2012, when UAC and COMAC signed an MOU to study the creation of a family of wide-body aircraft. In May 2014, a Memorandum of Cooperation was completed, followed by an intergovernmental agreement in June 2016. The joint venture company was established on May 12, 2017, with equal Board representation for China and Russia. Shareholding is 50% to UAC and 50% to COMAC. Guo Bozhi is the General Director of the joint venture, and also holds the title Director of Long-Range Wide Body Commercial Aircraft at COMAC. Suppliers The RFI stage for potential suppliers was completed in 2017. The RFP stage began in December 2017, and cooperation with Liebherr Aerospace, General Electric, Rolls Royce, Safran, and Thermodynamics are early potential suppliers. A supplier conference took place in Shanghai in March 2018 and further supplier requests are likely as the aircraft is defined. Program Status The Long-Range Wide-Body Commercial Aircraft Program passed the Gate 2 milestone in 2017, resulting in the adoption of the technical concept for the aircraft. The program is currently in conceptual design and supplier selection. By the end of this stage and entry into Gate 3 in 2019, the final shape of the CR929 will be finalized. The Market UAC/COMAC forecasts of the market indicate that between 2023-2045 the world will require 7,200 long-range wide-body aircraft. About 20% of that demand will come from the partner nations (15% China, 5% Russia) and 28% will be from other Asia-Pacific countries. The 929 program will initially focus on the home markets. The Bottom Line If the CR929 can achieve the objectives outlined above for fuel efficiency and operating costs, it could become a formidable competitor to the 787 and A350. With a heavily composite airframe and next-generation engines, the CR929 could become a viable alternative to Boeing and Airbus by the end of the next decade, if the project moves forward on time and delivers on its promises. Time will tell, but the initial CR929 concepts appear quite interesting. The Irkut MS-21 is performing well in its testing and will be extremely competitive with the A320neo and Boeing 737MAX from a fuel burn and technical aspects. Establishing service and support networks will be key to both the MS-21 and CR929 programs, and their in-country focus will enable that to happen over time. While the CR929 is not yet a threat to the 787 or A350, the potential is certainly there, and every CR929 sold is one less Boeing or Airbus that will enter the market.

No results