The enterprises of the Ukrainian aviation industry, as part of the import substitution program, have ensured the creation of a domestic steering control system for the next-generation An-148/An-158 regional jet aircraft and the new An-178 transport aircraft with a carrying capacity of 18 tonnes, the press service of the Antonov state enterprise has reported.

According to the report, the enterprise has launched benchmark research and certification tests of the new steering control system developed at its own expense by the leading enterprises of the industry - Ekran Ltd (Kyiv) and PJSC FED (Kharkiv) with the participation of Antonov specialists.

The new Ukrainian development is a state-of-the-art digital multi-channel electric remote-control system with distributed architecture and fail-safe electrohydraulic actuators of control surfaces.

"Its creation was a key factor for the restoration of mass production of aircraft under the program for import substitution of components that had previously come from Russia," Antonov said.

During the bench tests, the system will be thoroughly tested both at the level of equipment and software. It is planned to perform 1,000 laboratory flights. After the completion of the initial stage of bench tests, it is planned to install the system on the An-158 No. 01-02 airplane for complex tests, the company said.

Antonov is the leading Ukrainian developer and manufacturer of aircraft, a recognized world leader in the niche of transport aircraft. The enterprise cooperates with more than 75 countries. By the decision of the government, the enterprise has been part of the Ukroboronprom State Concern since April 2015.