Russian flag carrier Aeroflot has taken delivery of its first Sukhoi SuperJet 100, a modern fly-by-wire regional jet intended to compete head to head against hot-selling models from Bombardier and Embraer in the 75- to 95-seat category. Featuring PowerJet SaM146 engines capable of producing 17,000 pounds of thrust and an integrated avionics system developed by France’s Thales, the new regional jet strives for a level of technological sophistication not seen in past Russian civil jet designs. The achievement was made possible in part by close program consultation with partner Boeing.
The airplane made its first flight in 2008 and progressed quickly through its certification flight test program. Aeroflot plans to put its first SuperJet 100 into revenue service between Moscow and St Petersburg on June 16. The airline will become the second operator of the Superjet 100 after Armenian carrier Armavia, which has been operating the first serially produced model for the last seven weeks. Aeroflot holds 30 orders for the jet. It will take delivery of 10 SuperJets this year, 12 in 2012 and eight in 2013. Sukhoi claims it holds an order book for nearly 200 SuperJet 100s.
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