The UZGA LMS-901 Baikal is a utility aircraft produced by UZGA (Ural Works of Civil Aviation).The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade selected UZGA in October 2019 to develop a replacement for the widespread Antonov An-2.The prototype made its maiden flight on 30 January 2022.The aluminum, single-turboprop airplane is powered by a GE H80 or a Klimov VK-800.It is planned to carry a payload or 9–12 passengers over at from short unpaved airstrips.
In October 2019, UZGA (Ural Works of Civil Aviation) subsidiary Baikal Engineering won a tender to develop a light multi-purpose aircraft for the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.The first prototype was planned for the end of 2020, to begin testing in mid-2021; certification was planned for 2022 and mass production to start in 2023, while demand was expected for 230 planes.[1]
The LMS-901 is designed to replace the Antonov An-2 after the SibNIA TVS-2DTS was indefinitely delayed.Wind tunnel testing was completed in late November 2020, as Russian regional airlines were interested in 200 aircraft.[2]
By April 2021, an LMS-901 prototype airframe was completed.[3] On 30 January 2022, the prototype made its first flight from Yekaterinburg Aramil Airport, up to and lasting 25 minutes.[4] Serial production at Komsomolsk-on-Amur of 30 to 50 units per year was then planned for 2024.[5]
By August 2022, it had been ordered by siberian operators KrasAir and Aeroservis, with seven too be delivered to the later between 2025 and 2028, powered by a Klimov VK-800SM turboprop.[6] In January 2023, Russian Aerokhimflot, an association of forestry and agricultural aviation operators set up in 2019, agreed to acquire 120 LMS-901s between 2026 and 2030.[7]
In September of 2024, Vladimir Putin ordered the LMS-901 into serial production, although its intended Klimov VK-800SM engine is not expected to be certified until 2025, with deliveries of the engine not expected until 2026.[8]
The aluminum-made, high-wing monoplane is to be powered by the General Electric H80-200 and seat 9 passengers.[2] Smaller and almost two times lighter than the An-2, it should cost less than 120 million rubles ($1.6 million).[2] The project cost is estimated at 4.5 billion rubles ($ M) and the operating costs (excluding ownership) at 30,000 rubles ($) per flying hour.[1]
It should reach 300 km/h from a 95 km/h landing speed and cover 3,000 km.[2] Optional electric motors could offer redundancy.[2] It should fly a 800 nmi (1,500 km) range with a payload from short unpaved airstrips.[3]