RUSSIA’S MINISTRY of Industry and Trade will pay Diamond Aircraft up to 7 billion rubles ($185 million) to help fund the development of a new low-cost, multi-purpose 9-19 seat aircraft to replace the ubiquitous Antonov An-2 Colt. The Austrian manufacturer officially launched the project at last year’s Paris Air Show in partnership with the Russian Technologies state corporation, Rostec. Two concept designs, dubbed LMS-9 and LMS-19, were revealed at MAKS 2013.
The aircraft, which will be powered by diesel engines and made largely from composite materials, share common wing, nose and tail sections. The higher-capacity example features a longer fuselage. They are also designed specifically for use in Russia’s harsh environment, including low-pressure pneumatics to enable operation from unprepared strips. Provision will also be made for ski landing gear and floats. Certification of the new aircraft family is planned for 2017.
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