Back To C929: COMAC Pushes Ahead With Widebody Rename Following Russia's Exit

[beijingwalker]

Back To C929: COMAC Pushes Ahead With Widebody Rename Following Russia's Exit​

BYAARON BAILEY
PUBLISHED October. 29 2023

The rename signifies that Comac is committed to developing the wide-body airliner.

Photo: fifg | Shutterstock

SUMMARY​

• The collaboration between Chinese COMAC and Russian United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) for developing the CR929 has ended.
• Despite the challenges caused by Russia's withdrawal, COMAC is determined to continue the development of the C929.
• The Chinese government's strong support for the aviation industry, along with its policies to encourage local manufacturers, serves as a strong backing for COMAC to develop the C929 independently.

Initially, the CRAIC CR929, known as the COMAC CR929, was previously a collaboration between the Chinese COMAC and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) of Russia. However, following tensions and sanctions against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, the Russian powerhouse has withdrawn from the program, leading to the manufacturer deciding to drop the R within CR929, signaling the end of the partnership. (C - China, R - Russia).

The now C929 is a planned long-haul widebody airliner to challenge the Airbus and Boeing duopoly. With plans to seat between 250-320 seats.

While having Russia withdraw from the program has brought unexpected challenges to COMAC, the manufacturer has persevered and is determined to continue in the variant development.

Vast market demand​

China is one of the world's largest aviation markets, and the need for widebody passenger aircraft is increasing quickly. By 2037, it is expected that China will become the world's largest aviation market and will require an additional 7,000 new widebody aircraft to stimulate and maintain demand. This provides enormous potential and motivates the decision to continue developing the C929.

Photo: COMAC

The C929 follows the successful release of the C919 variant, COMAC's narrowbody airliner. This type took its maiden flight in May 2017 and was delivered to Shanghai's China Eastern in December 2022. With two in service, MU took its first commercial flight in May this year.

COMAC vs UAC​

Since the onset of the pandemic, there have been heightened tensions between COMAC and UAC after it disclosed that its first deliveries of the C929 were expected to be only by 2028-2029. While through 2021, China and Russia were working together to build the prototype, the pandemic severely paused the project, and then in 2022, Russia's invasion of Ukraine put multiple sanctions and uncertainty on the success of the partnership.

Russia kept optimistic through this, believing that the first test flights for the widebody aircraft would be by 2030; however, by this year, it was made public that COMAC chose to continue the program independently. However, United Aircraft Corporation CEO Yury Slyusar reiterated his genuine hope that UAC could remain involved in the project as a supplier for the C929.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1717806533466292399

The Chinese government is very supportive of the aviation industry, is pursuing the development of local aviation products, and has implemented several policies to encourage local manufacturers to complete independent research, development, and innovation for the aviation sector. With this, the government's support is a strong backing for COMAC to continue the development of the C929 project on its own.

While dropping the R from the variant name is a vital sign that Russia has stepped back from the project, the demonstration by COMAC signifies how COMAC looks to make substantial contributions to the development of the bustling Chinese aviation industry and looks to break the Airbus and Boeing monopoly and provide an alternative in the global aviation market.

Back To C929: COMAC Pushes Ahead With Widebody Rename Following Russia's Exit

The rename signifies that Comac is committed to developing the wide-body airliner.

simpleflying.com

 

[beijingwalker]

It's better this way, partnership would only slow China down.

 

[etylo]

It's better this way, partnership would only slow China down.

Yes, I always thought the decision to cooperate with Russia on CR929 made more strategic sense than pure commercial interest. Russian business and high tech are not exactly known for reliability these days, one example was the failed Russian rocket launch of the mission to Mars with Chinese Mars probe on board years ago, China was better to successfully send probe to Mars on its own later.

 

[Bilal9]

Yes, I always thought the decision to cooperate with Russia on CR929 made more strategic sense than pure commercial interest. Russian business and high tech are not exactly known for reliability these days, one example was the failed Russian rocket launch of the mission to Mars with Chinese Mars probe on board years ago, China was better to successfully send probe to Mars on its own later.

You can always contract TsAGI in Moscow to design the supercritical wings like they did for the ARJ-21. No need for going into risk and profit sharing with Russians.

Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This was one of the main reasons for the prior collaboration on the CR 929 - which is aerodynamic lifting surface design.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

The maiden flight is pending for 2026 with CJ-2000.

 

[S10]

Russians did not agree to how future profit would be split. China offered them profits from international sales only, but Russia wanted a share of China's domestic sale as well. From the Russian perspective, majority of the order will be coming from Chinese airlines which they would not be able to make money from. From a Chinese perspective, allowing Russia to profit from domestic orders would drive up the price for Chinese airlines since margins need to be higher.

In the end, I think it's better for China to do it alone. It has the market to support such a plane.

 

[etylo]

You can always contract TsAGI in Moscow to design the supercritical wings like they did for the ARJ-21.

Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This was one of the main reasons for the prior collaboration on the CR 929 - which is aerodynamic lifting surface design.

China by itself did make C919 to work, C929 is the logical next step.

 

[StraightEdge]

I hear is that RR engine will be used. Maybe homegrown engine later once it's properly tested.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

I hear is that RR engine will be used. Maybe homegrown engine later once it's properly tested

Usually, China will prudently use the mature RR engine for the maiden flight of the C929, but consider that the US will do anything to impede it. Therefore, it is becoming less likely.

The US has also cut off the engines for the C919, and we will use the CJ-1000 starting in 2025 as the original western engines in the inventory is running out.

Since the CJ-1000 and CJ-2000 are extremly closely related, and the successful integration of the C919 and CJ-1000 could help the maiden flight of the C929 with the CJ-2000.

 

[StraightEdge]

Usually, China will prudently use the mature RR engine for the maiden flight of the C929, but consider that the US will do anything to impede it. Therefore, it is becoming less likely.

The US has also cut off the engines for the C919, and we will use the CJ-1000 starting in 2025 as the original western engines in the inventory is running out.

Since the CJ-1000 and CJ-2000 are extremly closely related, and the successful integration of the C919 and CJ-1000 could help the maiden flight of the C929 with the CJ-2000.

That's news to me, have they stopped CFM engines from being exported?

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

That's news to me, have they stopped CFM engines from being exported?

Even the Leap-1C was uniquely designed for the C919 by GE, and GE is going to lose a lot of money if they cannot sell it to China, yet the US politicians & lawmakers don't seem to care about the loss of their own companies.

Just see how many US semiconductor companies have been turning into red just because the persistant chip war that the US has waged against China.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Right now, COMAC has confirmed that the pending maiden flight of the C929 should be around 2028, maybe 2027 at the earliest.

https://www.toutiao.com/article/7299806304179601930/?channel=&source=search_tab

It makes sense as the CJ-2000 engine has started its ground test since 2020, and it will be ready to conduct the flight test by 2025. And 2-3 years later, the C929 should be able to conduct its maiden flight with the CJ-2000 engines.

 

[MH.Yang]

not much impact

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Really..where did you read this....

This was just 3 weeks ago by Safran itself

OCTOBER 27, 2023

Safran Nacelles opens its new nacelle MRO centre in Suzhou, China

On 25th October, Safran Nacelles opened its new repair centre in Suzhou, China. Those attending included Alain Berger, Executive Vice President - Customer Support & Services of Safran Nacelles, Joan Valadou, General Consul of France, Wu Hong, Director General of Suzhou Industrial Park...

www.safran-group.com

A leading-edge nacelle MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) centre​

The 5,000 m2 (54,000 sq.ft) repair centre will repair nacelles on Airbus A330ceo, A330neo, A320neo aircraft fleets which use the LEAP-1A engine built by CFM International1 and COMAC C919 aircraft. It will also serve to store large nacelle components such as air inlet, thrust reversers, and exhaust systems.

It doesn't matter whether you choose to cut off or not.

The CJ-1000A is destined to replace LEAP-1A within 1-2 years.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1639085083499040769

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

That's news to me, have they stopped CFM engines from being exported?

It's BS.
Safran just opened a Leap engine repair facility 3 weeks ago in China

Safran Nacelles opens its new nacelle MRO centre in Suzhou, China

On 25th October, Safran Nacelles opened its new repair centre in Suzhou, China. Those attending included Alain Berger, Executive Vice President - Customer Support & Services of Safran Nacelles, Joan Valadou, General Consul of France, Wu Hong, Director General of Suzhou Industrial Park...

www.safran-group.com

It doesn't matter whether you choose to cut off or not.

Ok, so you admit you just blatantly lied about the engine being cutoff from China...what a shocker.