The Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects has come up with an idea of equipping Russian airliners, including MC-21 with what it briefly described as a "nervous system" for monitoring the technical condition of all of the airframe’s components and parts, project chief Dmitry Uspensky told TASS.

"Using a system of early warning of likely flaws and faults on the MC-21 plane is not only possible but very desirable. From the standpoint of compatibility it is a soluble problem. Such a technology of continuous monitoring of the plane’s condition will be very helpful in creating a system for prompt, online maintenance depending on the aircraft’s actual condition. Our new generation plane will appear on the market in a very different economic situation," Uspensky said.

Although the model of a future "nervous system" was for the first time displayed just recently (at the MAKS-2017 air show), Uspensky believes it may well be used on Russia’s newly-designed passenger plane MC-21. As a result, MC-21 will have a considerable competitive edge over its counterparts from Boeing and Airbus.

MC-21 is a medium haul passenger liner being developed by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, incorporating Irkut). It will come in two configurations MC-21-200 (seating 132 to 165) and MC-21-300 (passenger capacity ranging from 163 to 211). At the moment work is proceeding only on the MC-21-300 model, which performed its maiden flight at the end of May.

The first liners are to be delivered at the end of 2018.