Russias Homegrown SJ-100 Superjet Takes to the Skies for Its First Test Flight

The first Superjet airliner, entirely manufactured in Russia, successfully completed its inaugural test flight on Friday, as reported by the state defense and industrial conglomerate Rostec.

This flight follows earlier test flights of the import-substituted Superjet prototype conducted in April and June, which verified the reliable functioning of its domestically produced systems. Rostec announced that the program is now progressing into the mass production stage.

The aircraft, now known as the SJ-100, has substituted «dozens» of foreign components, encompassing the fuselage, flight control systems, and landing gear.

According to Rostec, the Yakovlev Production Center located in Komsomolsk-on-Amur has 24 SJ-100 aircraft at «various stages of completion.» These jets are pending certification flights and approval from Russia’s civil aviation authority prior to delivery.

Friday’s test flight lasted approximately one hour, achieving speeds of about 500 kilometers per hour (310 miles per hour) and reaching an altitude of 3,000 meters (9,800 feet).

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation, which took over the project last year amidst production delays and safety issues, has stated that the SJ-100 will need to undergo 200 test flights before the end of 2025 in order to secure certification for mass production.

This 100-seat regional jet plays a crucial role in Russia’s initiative to cultivate a domestic commercial aviation sector, especially after Western sanctions limited access to foreign technology.