Aircraft
U.S. Sanctions Force MC-21 Course Correction
Russian companies insist they can supply the needed raw materials for the MC-21's composite wings.
The first three flying MC-21 test articles use composite wings made of Western raw materials. (Photo: Irkut)
The first three flying MC-21 test articles use composite wings made of Western raw materials. (Photo: Irkut)

Tightening U.S. sanctions on Russia have interrupted the supply of foreign raw materials supply to United Aircraft Corp. (UAC), forcing the airframer to introduce yet another series of changes to the MC-21 program. Yet the company maintains that the next-generation narrowbody’s wing box and consoles will still consist of polymeric composites, even though that would require replacement of imported binding thread and resin by Russian substitutes.


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