Tupolev Tu-334

CSA Tu-104A OK-LDC ARN May 1971.png
Autor: Lars Söderström, Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0
A CSA - Ceskoslovenske Aerolinie Tupolev TU-104A at Arlanda Airport (ARN / ESSA)

Tu-144.jpg

Tupolev Tu-144

NASA teamed with American and Russian aerospace industries for an extended period in a joint international research program featuring the Russian-built Tu-144LL supersonic aircraft. The object of the program was to develop technologies for a proposed future second-generation supersonic airliner to be developed in the 21st century.

Cockpit of Tupolev Tu-334 (3).jpg
Autor: Alex Beltyukov, Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0
Cockpit of Tupolev Tu-334 airliner

Tupolev-334 (4322161800).jpg
Autor: Dmitry Terekhov from Odintsovo, Russian Federation, Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0

The Tupolev Tu-334 is a Russian short to medium range airliner that was developed to replace the aging Tu-134s and Yak-42s in service around the world. The airframe is based on a shortened Tu-204 fuselage and a scaled-down version of that aircraft's wing. Unlike the Tu-204, however, the Tu-334 has a T-tail and engines mounted on the sides of the rear fuselage instead of under the wings. With the rationalisation of the Russian aircraft companies in 2009 to form United Aircraft Corporation it was decided not to continue with the programme.

Work commenced on the Tu-334 in the early 1990s, but proceeded slowly due to funding problems arising from the break-up of the Soviet Union. A prototype was displayed in 1995, but this was little more than a mock-up with few systems installed. A functional aircraft first flew on February 8 1999, and later that year, agreements were put in place for MiG to undertake part of the production of the airliner.

Since then, development has been slow due to protracted budget problems. In turn, the certification of the aircraft and its entry into serial production has been delayed, with full Russian certification still not obtained. According to Tupolev, a total of about 100 airlines have so far expressed an interest in placing orders for Tu-334s; and on July 31, 2008, Tupolev Managing Director Sergei Ilyushenkov announced that production was targeted to begin no later than January 2009.

As of December 2006 there are 55 firm orders for the Tupolev Tu-334 from seven airlines, including Atlant-Soyuz Airlines and there are letters of intent from 24 airlines to obtain another 297 airplanes. Price per unit for the business version is estimated to be around $43-44 million.

One of the customers for the type is Iran and IAIO intends to purchase licenses to assemble the aircraft in Iran by 2011 and manufacture them completely by 2015 alongside Tu-214. It is reported that Iran intends to manufacture more than 130 aircraft of the types within the next ten years. Reportedly Russia seems to have put a $3billion price tag for the licenses and technology transfer. The production of the type will start in Iran concurrently with that in Russia to ensure that Iran is getting the latest in technology.

General characteristics

   * Crew: 2
   * Capacity: 102 passengers
   * Length: 31.26 m (102 ft 6 in)
   * Wingspan: 29.77 m (97 ft 8 in)
   * Height: 9.38 m (30 ft 9 in)
   * Wing area: 83 m² (893 ft²)
   * Empty weight: 30,050 kg (66,250 lb)
   * Loaded weight: kg (lb)
   * Useful load: 12,000 kg (lb)
   * Max takeoff weight: 47,900 kg (105,380 lb)
   * Powerplant: 2× Progress D-436T1 or Rolls Royce BR715-56 turbofans, 73.6 kN (16,500 or 20,000 lbf) each

Performance

   * Maximum speed: 865km/h (465 kt,545 mph)
   * Cruise speed: 850km/h (440 kt, 510 mph)
   * Stall speed: km/h (mph)
   * Range: 3150 km (2000 nm, 2300 mi)
   * Service ceiling: 11,100 m (36,400 ft)
   * Rate of climb: m/s (ft/min)
   * Wing loading: 580 kg/m² (120 lb/ft²)

* Thrust/weight: 0.31

Tupolev Tu-334 at MAKS-2005 airshow.jpg
Autor: Sergey Ryabtsev, Licence: GFDL 1.2
Tupolev Tu-334 airliner at MAKS-2005 airshow.