LMS-192 Osvey: Russia and Belarus join to develop a new 19-seater aircraft

Russia and Belarus are set to develop a versatile aircraft with a capacity for 19 passengers. The project, called LMS-192 «Osvey», will be carried out by JSC Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA) and JSC 558 Aviation Repair Plant (558 ARZ).

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On April 15, an agreement was signed for the development and production of the Osvey. UZGA was designated as the main contractor, while 558 ARZ was appointed as co-executor.

The Belarusian company will provide production facilities for the project, while UZGA will ensure orders for at least 178 fuselages and half of the total number of aircraft. The first deliveries are expected in 2030, with a minimum of 89 planes to be dispatched.

The agreement positions UZGA as the designer, manufacturer, and holder of the type certificate. Meanwhile, 558 ARZ will be the manufacturer and holder of the production license, with the right to make modifications to the aircraft.

Project Progress

Significant progress has been made in 2024 on developing this new aircraft. A major milestone occurred in May when the project was included in the comprehensive program for the development of the national aviation industry until 2030.

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The project’s roadmap outlines the start of joint serial production by 2027, with the construction of 20 aircraft simultaneously. Production is expected to increase to 46 aircraft by 2028, reaching 158 units of the Osvey by the end of 2030.

On May 22, 2024, the Deputy Minister of Belarus stated that the first prototype of the Osvey will be ready by 2026. This was confirmed two days later by Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who said, «We expect a prototype to appear by late 2026 – early 2027, with testing of the 19-seat aircraft beginning.»

Another advancement indicating the program’s progress is the creation of a dedicated section for the Osvey on the 558 ARZ website.

Market Operation

According to the press service of 558 ARZ, the Osvey will meet the needs of state aviation, with potential future civil use. The LMS-192 Osvey could serve local and regional airlines in commercial air transport.

The design team aims to create an aircraft with the highest performance and efficiency for passenger and cargo transport on short and medium-distance flights, capable of operating in extreme weather conditions.

Powerplant and Avionics

The Osvey is a high-wing aircraft powered by two VK-800SM turboprop engines. Designed by UZGA, the engine will feature a six-blade composite propeller.

The VK-800SM will have a high-load, high-efficiency single-stage centrifugal compressor and a single-stage turbine, with a free two-stage turbine.

A distinctive feature of the Osvey engine will be the use of film cooling in the combustion chamber design, which reduces cooling air consumption and significantly increases engine efficiency.

Russian company Radioelectronic Technologies (KRET) is responsible for designing and developing the onboard equipment, building on previous KRET designs.

Name Significance

The LMS-192 is named Osvey in honor of Lake Osvejskoye or Osveya, which belongs to the Western Dvina River basin. This body of water is located in the Vitebsk region, near the border with Russia and Latvia.

This naming continues the tradition of naming small aircraft after large lakes, such as the LMS-901 Baikal and the TVRS-44 Ladoga.