Russia has officially filed a patent for a new widebody aircraft, its ambition to directly compete with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350. The patent, published by Russia’s intellectual property agency last week, is a twin-aisle commercial aircraft with passenger capacity appropriate for long-haul flights.
Moreover, the filing represents Moscow’s latest attempt to revive its commercial aircraft division since Western sanctions restricted access to Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Experts say while Russia has been experimenting with planes such as the Ilyushin Il-96 and the locally produced MC-21 narrowbody, developing a successful widebody is far tougher.
As described in the patent documents, the design targets aerodynamic performance, high-tech composites, and improved fuel performance. These features are considered to be imperative in competing against established widebody programs, as reported by TASS.
Competing with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The Boeing 787 has become a popular choice for long-haul operations, with more than 1,100 aircraft currently in operation worldwide. Patenting a widebody aircraft, Russia is gearing up to make an alternative to the 787 in those markets where Airbus and Boeing may have less reach.
The new widebody aircraft proposal demonstrates potential innovation in fuselage structure, wing shape, and cabin flexibility. If manufactured, the jet could serve both passenger and cargo markets, following a global trend toward multi-role widebody aircraft.
However, aviation experts remain cautious. “Designing a widebody is one thing; certifying it and finding customers is another,” a Moscow-based aviation expert told Aviation Week. “The Boeing 787 has a 20-year head start, and Russia will need international cooperation to scale production.”
WBLRA Variants Compared with Boeing 787
Russia’s newly patented widebody aircraft family, the WBLRA series, comprises three versions for direct competition with Boeing’s 787. Each variant aims to balance seating capacity and range, providing airlines a more cost-effective option:
| Aircraft Type | Seating | Range (km) | Boeing Equivalent | Boeing Seating | Boeing Range (km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBLRA-500 | 236 | 12,000 | 787-8 | 248 | 13,530 |
| WBLRA-600 | 281 | 13,600 | 787-9 | 296 | 14,010 |
| WBLRA-700 | 320 | 10,300 | 787-10 | 336 | 11,730 |
The WBLRA-600 would cost owners 3% of ownership costs and direct operating costs 6% less than the Boeing 787-9, patent filings said. On a per-seat-kilometer basis, the Russian design could deliver efficiency gains of 11–17%, providing airlines with a potentially lower-cost alternative to Boeing’s established Dreamliner family.
Domestic Focus and International Ambitions
In the meantime, the aircraft is probably going to target Russia’s domestic and regional markets, particularly for carriers cut off from Western suppliers. Flag carrier Aeroflot could become the launch customer, given its history of operating Russian-built aircraft.
Concurrently, Russia’s patent filing for new widebody aircraft implies ambitions beyond domestic operations. Sanctions limiting Russia’s ability to access Western planes, Moscow might attempt to sell the widebody to non-Western countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Russian authorities argue that it is essential to national security and economic sovereignty to develop a domestic widebody program. The undertaking could also be integrated with ongoing collaboration with China, particularly the CR929 widebody that has been in development for several years but has faced delays.
Key Challenges Ahead
Despite the patent milestone, there are significant obstacles down the road. Building a competitive widebody requires cutting-edge composite technology, high-thrust engines, and world certification standards, areas where Russia is not strong.
Engine availability is of special significance. The patent does not specify a powerplant, but Russian aerospace manufacturers such as Aviadvigatel are working on designing high-bypass turbofan options. In the absence of a proven engine, the aircraft would be unable to achieve efficiency levels set by the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350.
Industry experts also reference the commercial challenge. Western carriers are not going to consider Russian-built widebodies, and Moscow will be dependent on state-led orders and agreements with countries affected by sanctions.
Industry Reactions – Russia New Widebody Aircraft
The news of patent application has drawn competing responses in the aviation sector. FlightGlobal cites some analysts to view the move as primarily symbolic, with the aspect that many patents are never translated into flying machines. Others view it as part of a long Russian strategy to revive its civil aviation industry under autonomy.
“The widebody project is proof of our determination to provide Russia’s aviation with independence. This patent is the basis for further development and future production,” stated a senior official in the Russian aviation industry.
The filing of Russia’s new widebody aircraft is a major milestone in Moscow’s efforts to regain its role as a competitive force in the global civil aviation market. While there remain significant technological and commercial hurdles, the patent points to long-term ambitions at a moment when Russia is under limited access to Western aircraft.
Whether the program ultimately becomes a real competitor to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner or a theoretical exercise will depend on Russia’s ability to secure funding, resolve engineering problems, and find cooperative airline customers.
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