Chkalov Aircraft Association State Unitary Enterprise Novosibirsk Aviation Production Complex NAPO imeni V.P. Chkalov NAPO named after V.P. Chkalov Novosibirsk Aviation Production Association (NAPA) 15, Polzunova Str., 630051 Novosibirsk, Russia Tel.: +7 3832 798095; 773706; Fax : +7 3832 772392; 771035; Telex: 133211 NAPO SU Telex: 133211 NAPO SU E-mail: aircraft@napa.sib.ruThe Chkalov Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association (NAPO or NAPA) is one of the major aircraft-building enterprises in Russia. The NAPO has developed a large number of different types of aircraft for over half a century, and is currently the manufacturer of the Su-34 interdiction aircraft. The Novosibirsk Aviation Production Association manufactured and performed flight and ground tests for the Su-34, a combat-line bomber of the fourth generation that replaces the previously produced Su-24. In 1986 the Central Committee of the CPSU and the USSR Council of Ministers decided to develop the aircraft three years ahead of schedule.
The first serial production Su-24 "Fencer" -- which was the 7th prototype -- made its first flight in December 1971. Serial production of the Su-24 "Fencer"started at Novosibirsk aviation plant; Official production started in 1974 and ended in 1993. During this period 1200 Fencers of different modification were made. Most recently, the Novosibirsk Aircraft-building Association announced on 01 September 1999 that it would sell three Su-24 fighter-bombers to Algeria for $12 million. The contract was arranged by the Promeksport company.
The association has also made preparations for international certification and serial production of a new two-engine turboprop multi-purpose civil aircraft, the An-38. In late 1997 the Vostok Air Company was the first in Russia to procure two An-38 aircraft from the NAPO. This made it possible to open new routes to Sakhalin and the Amur region. In April 1999 AlliedSignal Aerospace delivered the first Western engines to power a Russian regional aircraft to the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association for installation on the Antonov AN-38. AlliedSignal Aerospace is also providing the entire propulsion package for the aircraft, which will be built at NAPO's facility in of Novosibirsk, Russia. As of 1998 the (NAPO had an agreement to sell 10 AN-38s to the Chukhotka Autonomous Region. Russia's Federal Aviation Agency and NAPO had announced an intention, in conjunction with a number of banks, to form a leasing company to provide 7 to 10 year financing. NAPO may produce 32 planes per year. Demand was estimated at 600 aircraft.
Valeriy Chkalov was the most experienced of all Soviet test pilots. Along with Rostislav Evgenievich Alekseev [who went on to become the Chief Designer in Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau], he piloted the first non-stop flight between the USSR and USA. Chkalov lost his life on 15 December 1938, while testing the new Polikarpov I-180 prototype. This tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the entire Soviet aviation community. Several designers from the Polikarpov Design Bureau were arrested for "Wrecking" and "Sabotage" by Stalin, and no other Polikarpov design ever entered production. Chkalov was enshrined as a national hero following his death, and many dedications, voluntary funds, and memorials were erected in his name throughout the Great Patriotic War. Novosibirsk, Russia's fourth largest city, stands at Russia's crossroads, geographically, politically and economically, and represents one of the most important commercial centers outside of European Russia. The city of Novosibirsk is the largest Siberian city and has traditionally bee considered the "capital" city of Siberia. Approximately 20% of the overall internal production in the Oblast relates to industrial enterprises. Production of heavy machinery, chemicals, electrical equipment, metals, tin and timber dominate local industry. The largest local enterprises are: the Chemical Concentrates factory (radioactive chemicals and equipment); Chkalov aviation company (AN-38s, aviation equipment); Eleksib (capacitors and silver-zinc presses); Elsib (generators and turbines); Sibsilmash (agricultural equipment and furniture); Sever (high-tech appliances for accurate mechanics, electronics and electrical equipment for tools); Tin Smelting factory (rolled tin); and, Tyashstankogidropress (steel presses). All of these enterprises have experienced large reductions in the era of defense down-sizing. However, several enterprises are successfully converting to the commercial sector: the Tin Smelting factory exports new products world-wide; the Chkalov factory is producing business jets; and, Elsib has plans to work with the Swedish-Swiss giant ABB to produce spare parts to sell on the world market.