Irkutsk Aviation Plant is one of the leading aircraft manufacturing enterprises in Russia with a rich history — since 1934, it has assembled aircraft of more than 30 brands and modifications. Today, he is engaged in the production of both military aircraft, including those supplied as part of military-technical cooperation, and is preparing for the serial production of the Russian medium-haul passenger liner of the new generation MS-21. In an interview with TASS, the general director of the aircraft factory, Alexander Veprev, told how the state defense order is being fulfilled and what development the cruise vehicles supplied by the Ministry of Defense are receiving, what tasks the MS-21 program has set for the enterprise.
— Alexander Alekseevich, what kind of aviation military equipment is the factory engaged in and how is the fulfillment of the state defense order going?
— The plant is currently preparing for the production of the MS-21 airliner and is mass-producing military aviation equipment. This concerns the fulfillment of the state defense order and orders within the framework of the military-technical cooperation for the supply of military aircraft.
Plus, if we talk about the military sphere, work is underway to organize major repairs — this is a very important area for aircraft delivered under the state defense order. We also carry out major repairs of aviation equipment supplied by the Military Technical Cooperation System.
In the direction of Sukhoi and Yakov, we fulfilled the state defense order on time throughout the entire period. Moreover, the volumes are quite large. And in connection with the special military operation, of course, there is a state defense order, and it is serious. But if we talk about the beginning of the two thousandth, the end of the nineties, then we had practically no government orders at all, only about 1% of the total volume. Then export became an important help for the company, and we continue this work now.
This year we are delivering the upgraded Su-30SM2, the schedule is very busy. This is a machine with advanced combat capabilities.
— And as for the combat training Yak-130?
— Serial production of the Yak-130 is still in its basic form. Currently, work is underway on the construction of the experimental Yak-130M. Here, too, there is an increase in reliability, an expansion of the capabilities of this machine through the modernization and installation of new on—board equipment and weapons systems. First of all, foreign customers are interested in this. The car has proven itself well, it has been in operation for quite a long time both abroad and in our country.
We are solving the tasks of expanding our export potential. Despite everything, deliveries abroad are underway, there are customer requests for the development of the Yak-130, and among other things they have become the basis for the formation of a new look of the machine. We will maintain and develop this direction. And this is one of the features of our plant — military programs, including major repairs, and civilian ones are running in parallel.
— Is there any interest in export versions of the Su-30 fighter from foreign customers?
— We supplied Su-30MK, MKI, MKM, MKA — this is the first family. And now there is already a Su-30SME — this is an upgraded export version, created on the basis of the machine that is supplied by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The delivery of the first cars has already taken place.
— What changes have occurred at the plant since the beginning of its construction, as well as in connection with the MS-21 project?
— Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia and Rostec State Corporation, the first stage of modernization of all basic production facilities was completed under MS-21: blank-stamping, mechanical assembly, coating production, aggregate assembly production, assembly and testing. But this is only the first stage, much remains to be done to reach the planned production rates.
According to the first stage, a line was installed at the assembly plant. The line is designed according to our technical specifications, according to our requirements. And now, as we master the series, we are working to increase efficiency and reduce labor intensity.
In parallel, work is underway to modernize the galvanic production. The first two lines are being installed, and shipment is being completed for the remaining two.
In the lower stages: blank-stamping, machining production — the work has not yet been completed, it is necessary to gradually increase capacity.
To date, we have nine airframes in various degrees of readiness in the assembly and testing production. The following 4 are being manufactured in the assembly plant, and the parts have already been manufactured for 16-18 machines.
At the same time, the subsequent increase in production requires an increase in capacity, primarily in mechanical assembly and blank-stamping industries. The construction of a building with an area of 36 thousand square meters has been laid for them. A new set of equipment will be installed there, allowing them to reach the specified production volumes according to MS-21. This is something that we still have to do.
— How long does it take to assemble one MS-21 at the factory?
— There should be at least three cars per month. But I emphasize that the completion of modernization and the supply of import-substituted aircraft systems are crucial here. In parallel, all the related companies are working with us, building up and modernizing production facilities, and synchronous work is very important here so that they carry it out with us.
Speaking of personnel, we have implemented a personnel training system. By the end of 2022, the increase was about 800 people, by the end of 2023 — about 500 people. We are proceeding carefully here, the next set is planned, but everything will depend on the dynamics of the supply of import-substituted components.
It is necessary to ensure the assembly along the flow rhythmically, with a set tempo. To do this, an adaptive planning system based on multi-agent technologies is being implemented.
We have our own training center on site. There we train workers for all types of industries, as well as carry out advanced training of employees — all engineering and technical workers undergo advanced training with a certain frequency.
In total, about 5 thousand people a year pass through this training center, starting from occupational safety issues, ending with the development of new software products and so on. We also work with a technical university and two aviation technical schools. That is, personnel training is systematic and ongoing.
— How many of the assembled aircraft have Pratt & Whitney and PD-14 engines?
— Three experimental machines have P&W engines and three PD-14 engines. Cars with an imported engine in Zhukovsky are tested for aerodynamics, stability and controllability — those where the power plant is not essential.
Of the three PD-14 aircraft, one will undergo lightning protection tests in Zhukovsky. Two more are currently in Irkutsk. We are preparing the first car for flights in a partially import-substituted form, where the main systems are already Russian. The second car will be completely Russian, but it will start testing a little later. On these two machines, we have to fly off the test program and get approval of the main change to the type certificate. We received the certificate at the time with imported components, now we need to make changes for Russian ones, after which serial deliveries will begin. But, as you can see, we are not waiting, we are gradually preparing the groundwork for serial gliders.
But I emphasize that today the main thing is the supply of import—substituted components. Issues with fine-tuning, with the elimination of comments and deviations, of course, are inevitable, because our foreign colleagues have been developing similar systems for five to seven years, and now it needs to be done in two to three years. And this is security, this is reliability — the main issues that our colleagues are currently solving. These are leading developers, manufacturers of aircraft systems and equipment.
— In your opinion, has the plant coped with the departure of manufacturers of Western machine tools?
— That's a good question. The plant, of course, must, must cope based on our plans for investment programs. Well, look, we worked with Czech supply companies on the production of coatings. Now the line is supplied by our Russian manufacturer. There will certainly be some questions when launching the project, but we will work together to bring it up to compliance with the terms of reference.
There are very difficult tasks for machining equipment. We have formed technical specifications for suppliers, that is, with what characteristics we need this equipment. These are the requirements for cutting modes, feed rates, and so on. And, most importantly, in terms of performance, so that it is not inferior to Western equipment. Now a number of enterprises are solving this problem.
And as for the existing imported equipment, I note that part of the repair and restoration work is organized at the enterprise. For example, we have a division that is engaged in equipment maintenance, in particular the repair of high-speed four-turn spindles for milling equipment operating at speeds from 22 to 28 thousand revolutions per minute. We have solved the problem specifically for these machines.
— What do you consider the main achievement of the plant in 90 years?
— Probably the most important thing is the results of work over 90 years, the experience of more than one generation, which has allowed today to create a modern high—performance production facility with a complex of new technologies that allows mass production of both military and civilian aircraft. After all, each new car carried its own characteristics, a whole range of new technologies and solutions. Also, a very important component is qualified personnel. All we have today is the work of more than one generation. And today the team celebrates the 90th anniversary of the plant in hard work and with concrete results, carries out important programs for the state.
— Looking into the future, what kind of aircraft can the plant still produce?
— For military programs, we will continue to focus on the Sukhoi family and the Yaks, and the issue of promising programs is being discussed in parallel. I would not like to guess, but I will only say that we are developing a range of military equipment.
As I said, the Su-30SM has now been upgraded, and now there is still a remotorization, that is, we are installing a more powerful AL-41F engine. The on-board equipment has been upgraded, now we have a car with expanded characteristics, with a more powerful engine, with more effective weapons. Naturally, there will be a demand for this car.
As for the MS-21, now the main task is to reach the design capacity of 36 machines, there is something to work on in this direction, and we are confident about the future — this project will ensure the loading of the plant for many years to come.
