Sukhoi delivers its first Superjet to Gazpromavia

Image Credit: Sukhoi

by BA.com Staff

Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi Civil Aircraft delivered its first Sukhoi Superjet as an SSJ100 LR to Gazpromavia Airlines.

The first SSJ100 LR for Gazpromavia (MSN 95033) was presented during a delivery ceremony at the  International Aviation & Space Salon MAKS Airshow in Moscow. The Gazpromavia SSJ100 LR features an all-economy class configuration with 90 seats.

Gazpromavia is the launch customer for the SSJ100 LR, which offers several improvements over the basic Superjet 100.  It has a 4578 km (2470 nm) range, plus an increased take-off weight up to 49.45 tons with a strengthened wing and SaM146 engines featuring a 5% increased thrust performance over the base model.

The aircraft will initially be used from Gazpromavia's hub at Vnukovo Airport near Moscow on domestic routes to Sovetsky and Beloyarsky. Gazpromavia operates a fleet of 21 aircraft with a mix of Russian and Western built air-frames (4x Tupolev TU-154, 4x Yakolev Yak-40, 6x Yakolev Yak-42, 4x Dassault Falcon 900, 3x Boeing 737-700). It serves 18 destinations (4 international, 14 domestic) from its Vnkuovo.

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Photo Essay: Aero India 2013 - Inauguration Day images

The ninth edition of Aero India opened late and missing a few performers, notably the Russian Knights air display team, which have still not reached the show by the end of the second day.

A photo essay on some of the performers on the first day.

A Dassault Rafale B takes off during the inaugural ceremony at Aero India 2013. The Rafale is the fighter that has been selected by the Indian Air-force for its MMRCA requirement.

A United States Air-force Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 50 from the 14th Fighter Squadron based out of Misawa Air Base in Japan.

The venerable de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth now fully restored, performs.

The HAL Rudra Mk-IV helicopter which is an armed version of the HAL Dhruv, achieved initial operational clearance on 4th February 2013.

A close up of the Rudra as it comes in to land, the pilot can be seen looking at the runway

The new Indian Air Force Embraer EMB-145 AEWCS fitted with the AESA radar array.

The HAL Light Combat Helicopter.

A USAF C-17 of the the 535th Airlift Squadron which is part of the 15th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The wing is of the KC-135 tanker which accompanied the F-16's from Japan.

The new Pilatus PC-7 Mk-2 basic trainer of the Indian Air-force.

The Mil Mi-17B-5 is the latest troop carrier of the Indian Air-force.

The HAL Tejas Mk I Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program.

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Dassault Rafale selected in $10.4 billion Indian Air Force MMRCA deal

One of the largest military contracts in the world, the Indian Air Force's competition for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) appears to have been decided in favour of the French airframer Dassault's Rafale, though there is no official confirmation.

Sources indicate the Rafale has been selected over the Eurofighter Typhoon from European competitor EADS for a contract estimated at around $10.4 billion (Rs. 51,000 Cr.), which has been keenly fought over for the better part of this century. Last year saw the exit of four other competitors the Lockheed Martin F-16IN SuperViper, the Boeing F/A-18E/F SuperHornet, the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, and the MiG 35.

The Government will hold further negotiations on price with Dassault over the next two weeks and the contract is expected to be signed in the next fiscal year which commences on April 1.

As per terms of the tender Dassault is to supply 18 of the 126 ordered aircraft, within 36 months, from its facilities with the remaining aircraft being produced under license at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), in Bangalore.

This order will be a huge boost for both Dassault as well as President Sarkozy. Till date, the Rafale has been limited to service only at the French Air Force and Navy. Dassault has also won a small contract to sell a few planes to Brazil.

In selecting the Rafale, the sentiments of those "in the know", have been proven true. For the last two years sources have consistently told Bangalore Aviation that other things being equal, the Indian Air Force will go for Dassault, due to their long standing, and more importantly, very positive, relationship.

The Indian Air Force has used both the Ouragan and Mystère jets, and was one of the earliest adopters of the Mirage 2000 (called Vajra meaning Thunderbolt) despite skipping the famous Mirage III fighter.

In July 2011, India signed a contract worth $3 billion (Rs. 15,000 Cr.) to upgrade its fleet of 51 Mirage 2000H's to Mirage 2000-5 standard.

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More images from Aero India - Grippen, Sarang, Sitara, Super Hornet, Rafale,

Still have about 6,000 photos to sort through. In the mean time, some more opening day photos from Vedant, a Bangalore Aviation photographer. See more of his pictures here. Click on the images for a larger view.

The Saab Gripper shows off its moves.
The Indian Air Force helicopter demonstration team Sarang performs the dangerous 4 aircraft cross. The sweep diameter of the props makes this dangerous.
The Intermediate Jet Trainer prototype Sitara.
The U.S. Navy Boeing F/A-18F (F=Fighter A=Attack)
The French Air Force (Armee De L'Air) Dassault Rafale. Watch the birdie.

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