Hexcel congratulates Irkut on maiden flight of MC-21 new generation commercial aircraft

Hexcel Corporation congratulates Irkut on the successful first flight of the MC-21-300 new generation commercial aircraft, which took off and landed at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant airfield, an affiliate of Irkut Corporation, on Sunday May 28.

The MC-21 benefits from the latest advanced carbon fiber technologies including the HexPly carbon fiber/epoxy prepreg that Hexcel supplies for composite primary structures including the empennage. Hexcel has worked in partnership with Irkut for more than a decade and supported the technology developments initiated for the MC-21 program.

Thierry Merlot, President - Aerospace, Europe/Middle East/Asia said: "Hexcel is very proud to be associated with this new adventure and landmark within the Russian Aviation History, and we congratulate our customer Irkut and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) on their achievement. The MC-21 aircraft employs the latest advanced composites processes and material solutions and Hexcel has made a significant contribution to the development of these technologies."

The MC-21-300 has capacity for 163 to 211 passengers and targets the largest sector within the commercial aerospace market. The aircraft is expected to begin commercial operations in 2019.