In addition to writing for Aviation Week Network, Maxim holds a key position at Russia's Air Transport Observer magazine (www.ato.ru). In the past he was in charge of several ATO sister aerospace publications and earlier worked for the Moscow-based CAST defense think-tank.
Maxim has a degree on international relations from MGIMO University, Moscow, Russia, and for several years worked at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
MOSCOW — Russia’s fifth-generation fighter, the Sukhoi T-50, soon will receive a new engine. The first demonstration prototype of this powerplant, dubbed Item 30, will be assembled in early 2015, said Vyacheslav Masalov, CEO of United Engine Corporation, a merger of Russia’s engine design and manufacturing facilities. The first assembly parts and components of Item 30, such as its compressor, will begin testing at the end of this year, he added.
MOSCOW — Russian jet maker Sukhoi will continue to increase the combat capabilities of the Su-35 fighter while the aircraft starts its operational testing with the Russian air force. The manufacturer expects these new-generation upgraded fighters to serve with the air force alongside another Sukhoi product, the T-50. The latter is expected to be ready for operational testing in 2016.
Russia’s largest airline, Aeroflot, has withdrawn the last Soviet-era legacy type—the Ilyushin Il-96 widebody—from its fleet. The first aircraft out of six of this type was retired in October; the last aircraft, #96008, operated its final commercial flight on March 30 from Tashkent to Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, the airline’s home base. According to Aeroflot, the type is now being replaced by Boeing 777-300ERs.
