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by | Mar 16, 2018 | Hosta

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The UZGA LMS-901 Baikal is a utility aircraft produced by UZGA (Ural Works of Civil Aviation). The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade selected UZGA in October 2019 to develop a replacement for the widespread Antonov An-2. The prototype made its maiden flight on 30 January 2022. The aluminum, single-turboprop airplane is powered by a GE H80 or a Klimov VK-800. It is planned to carry a 2 t (4,400 lb) payload or 9–12 passengers over 1,500 km (810 nmi) at 300 km/h (160 kn) from short unpaved airstrips.

Development

In October 2019, UZGA (Ural Works of Civil Aviation) subsidiary Baikal Engineering won a tender to develop a light multi-purpose aircraft for the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.[2] The first prototype was planned for the end of 2020, to begin testing in mid-2021; certification was planned for 2022 and mass production to start in 2023, while demand was expected for 230 planes.[2]

The LMS-901 is designed to replace the Antonov An-2 after the SibNIA TVS-2DTS was indefinitely delayed.[3] Wind tunnel testing was completed in late November 2020, as Russian regional airlines were interested in 200 aircraft.[3]

By April 2021, an LMS-901 prototype airframe was completed.[4] On 30 January 2022, the prototype made its first flight from Yekaterinburg Aramil Airport, up to 500 m (1,600 ft) and lasting 25 minutes.[1] Serial production at Komsomolsk-on-Amur of 30 to 50 units per year was then planned for 2024.[5]

By August 2022, it had been ordered by siberian operators KrasAir and Aeroservis, with seven too be delivered to the later between 2025 and 2028, powered by a Klimov VK-800SM turboprop.[6] In January 2023, Russian Aerokhimflot, an association of forestry and agricultural aviation operators set up in 2019, agreed to acquire 120 LMS-901s between 2026 and 2030.[7]

Design

The aluminum-made, high-wing monoplane is to be powered by the General Electric H80-200 and seat 9 passengers.[3] Smaller and almost two times lighter than the An-2, it should cost less than 120 million rubles ($1.6 million).[3] The project cost is estimated at 4.5 billion rubles ($62.41 M) and the operating costs (excluding ownership) at 30,000 rubles ($416.06) per flying hour.[2]

It should reach 300 km/h from a 95 km/h landing speed and cover 3,000 km.[3] Optional electric motors could offer redundancy.[3] It should fly a 800 nmi (1,500 km) range with a 2 t (4,400 lb) payload from short unpaved airstrips.[4]

Specifications

Data from Ural Works of Civil Aviation[2]

General characteristics

  • Capacity: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) maximum payload, 9–12 passengers depending on FAR requirements
  • Length: 12.2 m (40 ft 0 in) [5]
  • Wingspan: 16.5 m (54 ft 2 in) [5]
  • Height: 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) [5]
  • Empty weight: 1,980–2,040[5] kg (4,365–4,497 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 4,800 kg (10,582 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × General Electric H80-200[5] or Klimov VK-800SM[6] turboprop
  • Propellers: 4-bladed Harzell, 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) diameter [5]

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 300 km/h (190 mph, 160 kn)
  • Minimum control speed: 95 km/h (59 mph, 51 kn) [3]
  • Range: 1,500 km (930 mi, 810 nmi) 2,000 kg payload, 45 minutes reserve
  • Take-off and landing performance equal or better than the An-2

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ^ a b "First flight of LMS-901 Baikal". Dutch Aviation Society. 2 Feb 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Baikal Engineering will replace the AN-2 aircraft" (Press release). Ural Works of Civil Aviation. 6 Nov 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Valius Venckunas (3 December 2020). "Bumpy story of Baikal, newest Russian bush plane". aerotime.aero.
  4. ^ a b David Kaminski-Morrow (27 April 2021). "Baikal completes airframe of utility aircraft to replace An-2". Flightglobal.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Gastón Sena (22 Jan 2022). "The LMS-901 "Baikal", a replacement for the Antonov An-2, made its maiden flight". Aviacionline.
  6. ^ a b David Kaminski-Morrow (30 August 2022). "Siberia's Aeroservis to take LMS-901s for passenger transport". Flightglobal.
  7. ^ David Kaminski-Morrow (11 January 2023). "Russian aviation alliance looks at fleet of LMS-901s to replace An-2s". Flightglobal.
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