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MC-21 Plant Brings Aircraft Plating In-House
The Irkutsk Aviation Plant has launched automated electroplating for MC-21 parts, reducing transport and reliance on external suppliers ahead of 2027 serial production.
Image: ITzine
Image source: UAC
The Irkutsk Aviation Plant has launched new electroplating production for the MC-21, allowing large aircraft parts to be processed on-site instead of being sent to facilities in other cities. UAC said commissioning is complete and the entire process area is fully automated.
This removes a significant bottleneck from the aircraft’s production logistics. Previously, aluminum and titanium components for the MC-21-310 had to be shipped to external sites for electroplating, adding transport time and increasing reliance on contractors.
Image source: UAC
MC-21 electroplating production
The new facility is designed to process large components directly at the plant. It can apply protective coatings to aluminum and titanium parts without separate transportation, making production schedules more predictable.
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Electroplating is a functional requirement in aircraft manufacturing, not a cosmetic step. The coatings protect metal from corrosion and improve wear resistance, affecting the aircraft’s service life and safety.
The facility is part of broader technical re-equipment at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. For the MC-21 program, bringing operations previously handled by outside suppliers into the factory reduces logistical exposure and strengthens domestic production capabilities.
2027 MC-21 production target
The MC-21 remains one of the main priorities for Russia’s civil aviation industry. Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov said serial production of the MC-21-310 is scheduled to begin in 2027.
Before then, the program must address as many production bottlenecks as possible. The aircraft has spent several years undergoing supplier changes, systems revisions, and import substitution. The new electroplating operation is therefore part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on external industrial partners as production moves from development aircraft toward series manufacturing.
Frontier Editor
Dan is our resident futurist, covering electric mobility, space exploration, and the smart home. He's interested in atoms just as much as bits. Whether it's a new battery chemistry, a reusable rocket, or a protocol that finally makes IoT devices talk to each other, Dan breaks down the engineering that pushes humanity forward.
via ITzine
