Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division and a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, announced that Irkut Corporation, a leading Russian aircraft maker, is expanding its deployment of NX™ software and Teamcenter® software for the design and development of the MC-21, the company's mid-range passenger jet. The MC-21's development is performed within the framework of the Federal Program for Progress in Civil Aircraft Engineering in Russia.

"Expanding the cooperation with Siemens PLM Software is the next valuable step of our strategic partnership that began over a decade ago," said N.A. Volkov, IT Department Director, Irkut Corporation. "Siemens PLM Software's advanced technologies have proven their efficiency many times over. As we launched the MC-21 project we unanimously selected Siemens PLM Software's NX and Teamcenter solutions. Using the most advanced PLM software technology significantly enhances project quality, reduces development and planning time, facilitates managing suppliers, and finally, decreases the overall project costs. We are confident that the innovative solutions we use will help us make the MC-21 the best aircraft in its class."

Irkut Corporation sees a significant expansion in design and production planning activities for the MC-21 in 2010. The new development stage will mean hiring more designers for developing the airframe and the avionics systems.

Irkut Corporation will use Teamcenter, the world's most widely used PLM solution, as its product data management platform to enable a unified and synchronized product and manufacturing data repository. The company will use NX, a leading integrated computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering analysis (CAD/CAM/CAE) solution used to design some of the world's most sophisticated products, for 3D product modeling, structural strength analysis and NC programming.

"Irkut Corporation's decision to expand the use of Siemens PLM Software's technology for the MC-21 project is further evidence that our solutions and professionals are best in the industry," said Steffen Buchwald, Vice President and Managing Director, Central and Eastern Europe, Siemens PLM Software. "Siemens PLM Software is a leading software developer for the aerospace and defense industry and we understand the challenges that our customers face every day. Our goal is to deliver innovative solutions and resources required to meet the demanding needs of our customers."

The MC-21 mid-range passenger jet development program envisages three aircraft versions for 150, 180, and 210 seats. The aircraft are designed for flights up to 5,500km in any climatic zone, day and night, in easy and complex meteorological conditions; the cruising speed is 850km/h. The MC-21 is able to take off from airports located up to 3,000 m above the sea level.

The worldwide demand for new, energy-efficient mid-range commercial airliners is very high and analysts estimate that just the Russian market demand for the MC-21 airliner is over 800 units.