Russia has agreed with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to create a joint venture for the development and construction of a supersonic passenger aircraft. This is reported by TASS with reference to the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov.
According to him, the business jet will be created in two versions: with a capacity for eight passengers (VIP-version) and for 30. The structure and design of the aircraft will be presented to the public at the end of this year – early next year.
The Minister noted that the enterprise will be organized on the principle of equity participation, however, the parties have not yet approached the issue of the amount of financing. “From the Emirates side it will be Mubadala, from our side it is clear that it will be the United Aircraft Corporation [United Aircraft Corporation], possibly one of its subsidiaries,” Manturov said.
He added that the cruising speed of the aircraft will be from Mach 1.5 to 1.8 (1.8 thousand – 2.2 thousand kilometers per hour). The device will be aimed at selling abroad. Potential markets include the countries of Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Earlier, scientists from the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute proposed turning the Soviet MiG-29 fighter into a Russian supersonic business jet. With adequate funding, such an aircraft may appear by 2023.