The general configuration design of the China-Russia Commercial Aircraft Corporation (CRAIC) CR929 widebody airliner, a joint venture between China’s Commercial Aircraft Company and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation, was approved on June 8, coinciding with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to China.
The fuselage will be 63.3m (207ft 8in) long and 5.92m (19ft 5in) wide, with a 63.9m (209ft 8in) wingspan. It will have a passenger capacity of 281 seats in a three-class configuration, with a range of 7,500 miles (12,000km) and a maximum take-off weight of 245,000kg (540,000lb).
Completion of detailed design is on track for the end of 2019, first flight in 2023 and service entry in 2025–2028, CRAIC announced on May 31. The CR929 is planned to achieve 10% of the single-aisle airliner market, dominated by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350.
CRAIC’s request for proposals (RFP) for engines capable of delivering 78,000lb (347kN) thrust, increased from the 75,000lb (333kN) previously considered, was issued in December. On May 31, CRAIC reported it has received seven bids from international suppliers to provide engines. While the bidders were not identified, Rolls-Royce previously announced it intended to respond to the RFP. General Electric is also considered a likely competitor. A joint Russian- Chinese team will evaluate the proposals and decide on one before the end of the year. David C Isby