New airliner being developed by TsAGI: No comparable global counterparts
22 May 2015
In May, scientists of the Central AeroHydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) completed the first phase of research of a promising short-haul aircraft model. This new-generation airliner has been designed by TsAGI under the Federal Target Program “Development of Civil Aviation in 2002-2010 and for the period to 2015.” The tests were completed in the transonic wind tunnel of the Institute.
The future aircraft does not have any similar counterparts in the world, and is distinguished by two major innovations. The first innovation introduced by TsAGI’s specialists is a small degree of wing sweep which ensures laminar flow with no random velocity and pressure fluctuations on the surface, and significantly reduces aircraft resistance. The use of modern profiles allows keeping the same speed as that of predecessors — 830-850 km/h.
The second distinguishing feature of the new aircraft is the location of the engines over the rear edge of the wing. The scientists chose this placement to reduce the noise from the aircraft flying over areas adjacent to airports. This environmental requirement is becoming constantly more strict and is one of the main criteria for the development of advanced aircraft. In the new layout, the noise from the power plant fans, being the main source of sound, is reflected by the wings upwards before reaching the ground. Furthermore, this solution allows installation of more efficient engines with a larger diameter. Moving the engine to the top reduces the likelihood of foreign objects being ingested into the intakes from the runway, which increases safety. This engine position makes it possible to reduce the length of the landing gear, thereby making the design more lightweight.
“The tests have confirmed our estimates in terms of speed and efficiency,” stated TsAGI’s head of the department of aerodynamics of civil aircraft prospective layout Ivan Chernyshev. “We will recommend this layout for greater technical evaluation by the domestic aircraft design offices.”
TsAGI Press Service