Aviation
Commercial /
Russia
Military or civilian technology?
Kronshtadt, a Russian combat drone company, to build a prototype supersonic civil aircraft
Kronshtadt Orion
Nickel nitride, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rafael Ramos
10/15/2021
During an interview with the Russian state agency TASS, Nikolai Dolzhenkov, chief designer of Kronshtadt, said that the Zhukovsky Institute of Air Force Engineering intends to finance the construction of an unmanned supersonic business jet prototype.
The prototype will be used for studies on the use of supersonic commercial aircraft in populated areas. The next step may be to build a manned prototype.
Dolzhenkov stated that the prototype should be close in size to the real model, as some physical properties are not scalable. He also said that many companies are involved in the project, but hinted that work has not yet started, so that there are still no agreements on the manufacture of the aircraft.
However, the idea of ""a Russian supersonic business jet is not new. In 2018, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) had already created a project proposal and, in 2019, the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) would supposedly build a technology demonstrator by 2022. However, earlier this year, it became known that the plane would be built in a partnership between Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
However, on another occasion, the head of the state-owned Rostec conglomerate, which owns most of the country's aircraft manufacturers, called the project unprofitable. Kronshtadt, maker of Orion, the first medium-altitude, long-duration combat drone to enter service in the Russian Air Force, on the other hand, does not belong to Rostec and UAC.
Kronshtadt is currently involved in the Grom project, which is expected to rival Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie and Boeing ATS.
Kronshtadt Orion
Kirill Borisenko, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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