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United Aircraft Unveils Widebody Twinjet Family Proposal

August 28, 2025By ePlane AI
United Aircraft Unveils Widebody Twinjet Family Proposal
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United Aircraft
Widebody Twinjet
ShFDMS Program

United Aircraft Proposes New Widebody Twinjet Family

Russian aerospace manufacturer United Aircraft has secured a patent for a new family of widebody twinjet aircraft, signaling a potential challenge to the longstanding dominance of Boeing and Airbus in the global widebody market. The patent, registered with Russian intellectual property authorities, details a three-variant aircraft family designed to seat between 240 and 320 passengers. The design bears notable similarities to the Boeing 787 series in overall dimensions, while incorporating wingtip features reminiscent of the Airbus A350.

Design and Performance Specifications

The project, identified as ShFDMS—an acronym for widebody long-range aircraft—encompasses three variants: the -500, -600, and -700 models. According to patent documents obtained by FlightGlobal, these aircraft are intended to operate over ranges spanning 5,560 to 7,340 nautical miles (approximately 10,300 to 13,600 kilometers). The ShFDMS-600 serves as the baseline model, configured to accommodate 281 passengers across three classes. United Aircraft asserts that this variant could achieve an 11 to 13 percent reduction in operating cost per seat-kilometer compared to the Boeing 787-9.

The proposed aircraft would feature fuselage lengths ranging from 58.4 to 68.6 meters and a wingspan of 59.6 meters, with a wing sweep angle of 32.6 degrees and an aspect ratio of 10.47. The passenger cabin is designed with an oval cross-section measuring 5.6 meters in internal width, enabling a nine-abreast seating arrangement in a 3-3-3 layout. Construction would predominantly employ polymer composite materials for the fuselage, vertical fin, and horizontal stabilizer, while the nose section would retain a metallic structure to enhance resistance to bird strikes. The wing structure is proposed as a hybrid, combining composite panels with metal ribs.

Notably, the patent provides limited information regarding engine selection or propulsion systems, leaving key performance aspects unspecified.

Market Context and Challenges

United Aircraft’s ShFDMS proposal arrives amid continued dominance by Boeing and Airbus in the widebody segment, where both manufacturers maintain strong delivery records. The Russian firm, which is concurrently advancing its Yakovlev MC-21 narrowbody program, faces considerable hurdles in developing a new widebody aircraft. These challenges include intense competition from established players and the necessity to ensure that technological innovations meet rigorous regulatory and certification standards.

The market’s response to the ShFDMS family remains uncertain. While airlines may be attracted to the prospect of a new, cost-efficient widebody option, they are likely to approach an unproven design with caution. Meanwhile, incumbent manufacturers may respond by enhancing their existing widebody offerings or shifting strategic focus to other market segments to preserve their competitive positions.

The patent for the ShFDMS family was filed in December 2024 and officially registered on August 1, 2025, underscoring United Aircraft’s ambition to expand its footprint in the global commercial aviation industry. Whether this proposal will advance beyond the patent stage and emerge as a viable competitor to Boeing and Airbus remains to be seen.

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IndiGo Approved to Operate Two Leased Boeing 777 Aircraft for Six Months

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Asia-Pacific Advances ICAO Safety, Sustainability, and Connectivity Goals

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Manufacturer Reaches Agreement to Introduce Flying Taxis in the U.S.

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Driverless Flying Taxi Service Debuts in Dominican Republic

Driverless Flying Taxi Service Debuts in Dominican Republic

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UAMCO Collaborates with Ramco Systems on Aviation Software Implementation

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