The testing of the first Tu-214ON aircraft developed in the network of Open Skies program has been completed. The jet is beinghanded over to the customer. It was stated by the Doctor of Engineering Science, CEO of Vega Concern, Vladimir S. Verba. 

Vega is the head contractor in the network of the corresponding contract with Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD). The jet’s payload was developed by Vega Concern. Speaking of the program’s status, Vladimir Verba said: «There are two jets. The first one (the jet is demonstrated at MAKS-2013 airshow) has successfully completed the state testing. At present it is being handed over to the MoD. The handover procedure takes time, but now it is only a formality because the testing has already been completed. The assembly of the second jet is underway. The second aircraft’s testing should be completed in 2013. A lot of nuances have surfaced during the testing of the first Tu-214ON, including the ones connected with the customer’s requests. At present we are considering the possibility of adding some extra options for Tu-214ON in cooperation with the MoD and specialists from the air forces». 

Besides Tu-214ON, Vega is taking part in other projects related to Tu-214 Family aircraft. «Yes, we are taking part in other projects related to Tu-214 Family aircraft. However unlike Tu-214ON the other work is classified», - Verba said. Possibly, this refers to a jet fitted with large-scale antennas placed along the airframe. Such jet was “intercepted” by the fighters of Japanese air forces earlier this year, while performing flight above the neutral waters in the Pacific Ocean. The jet’s flight path went along shore of Japan. The pictures taken by the Japanese pilots then surfaced on the TV and Internet.