The Ukrainian state Enterprise Antonov plans to complete the import substitution of the An-178 aircraft by the end of the year. By this time, the aircraft will lose Russian-made components. This is reported by Defense Express with reference to an interview with the Deputy General Director of the State Enterprise Alexander Vitushko.
The representative of Antonov State Enterprise noted that the test flights of the prototype of the updated An-178-100R aircraft will begin before the end of 2021. Most of the work with mechanical systems is completed. This stage of construction is planned to be completed by the end of September.
After that, the designers will begin the installation of radio-electronic equipment. Vitushko stressed that the aircraft will receive equipment that the company has not used before. Therefore, the work will be completed no earlier than November. After that, the aircraft will have to make about 600 flights as part of flight tests.
The publication emphasizes that the An-178 prototype has already made 200 flights using Russian components. Moreover, the fuselage of the aircraft, which was solemnly rolled out in May, contained Russian avionics.
Earlier, Antonov State Enterprise was reproached for refusing to purchase Russian components through intermediaries selected by Ukroboronprom. We are talking about components for the An-148, An-158 and An-178 aircraft, which were purchased through the Boeing Distribution company.
The AN-178 transport aircraft was developed on the basis of the AN-148 passenger aircraft. The new model received similar avionics and engines. In 2015, the An-178 made its first flight.
Daniil Irinin
