TsAGI, MSU Scientists Sum Up Yearly Results of WCRC ‘Supersonic’ Activities
15 December 2022
Developing supersonic civil aviation is a global challenge for contemporary research community. Scientists from TsAGI (a part of NRC “Zhukovsky Institute”) are among those who are working on the issue. To sum up interim results and discuss further strategy, a research seminar was held by TsAGI and MSU, which are the Consortium Participants of the World-Class Research Center (the WCRC) ‘Supersonic’. The seminar was chaired by D. Sc., Acad. Viktor Sadovnichiy, Rector of MSU; it was held at MSU Fundamental Library.
Kirill Sypalo (Director General of TsAGI, Corresponding Member of the RAS, Head of the WCRC ‘Supersonic’) reported that the cutting-edge developments by the WCRC’s laboratories would allow for creating a next-generation supersonic transport (SST). The technologies include technologically-based low sonic boom, low environmental noise, high aerodynamic performance, synthesized external environment, creation of convertible propulsion, isogrid bionic composite structure, and onboard AI.
‘The WCRC ‘Supersonic’ will continue developing after 2024 when financial support of the project is officially ended. Our Consortium is unique in many aspects. We have gathered a whole constellation of famous research communities. They shape fundamental knowledge and develop new technologies that will allow for creating the second-generation of effective aviation, making it affordable, resource-efficient and green,’ said Kirill Sypalo.
Sergey Chernyshev, Academician of the RAS and Chief Scientific Officer at TsAGI, reported on activities of his laboratory, Aerodynamics and Concept Design of Low-Sonic-Boom Supersonic Transport. He spoke on technological advance created by the WCRC ‘Supersonic’ that includes different tools for sonic boom study, airframe/propulsion integration meeting the ‘low sonic boom—low drag—low noise’ requirement, and multi-parameter technology of pressure curve optimization and the relevant values of sonic boom volume. Other aspects of the technological advance include design of innovative low-sonic-boom low-drag quiet aircraft configurations, SST flight scenarios, SST trajectory interactive control technologies, etc.
Ivan Belyaev, Chief Researcher for Aircraft Aeroacoustics and Ecology at TsAGI and Chief Researcher at WCRC—TsAGI, reported on achievements by the Laboratory for Aeroacoustics and Vibrations. TsAGI designed a new concept of quiet advanced SST with booster propeller engines that work at takeoff and landing and allow main engines to work at lower modes, thus reducing noise. According to preliminary assessments, such SST meets ICAO’s current requirements to community noise for subsonic aircraft.
Additionally, Valery Matveenko (Academician of the RAS, Scientific Director of Perm Federal Research Center UB RAS and Head of Laboratory for Strength and Smart Structures), presented his report at the Seminar. He highlighted the key achievements of the Laboratory: concepts of advanced pro-bionic structural design, smart materials, and automatic facility for laser impact reinforcement of different aircraft details.
D. Sc., Prof. Aleksandr Efremov, Head of Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence and Flight Safety at WCRC ‘Supersonic’ and Head of Department at MAI, presented the activities of the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence and Flight Safety. The achievements include development of integrated automatic and manual flight control systems, smart crew support system, and subsystems of state monitoring, their reconfiguration and cybersecurity.
Additional reports were made by representatives of WCRC—MSU: Dmitry Georgievsky, Vasily Vedeneev and Stepan Lemak.
The Consortium uses the results to solve fundamental, applied and practical tasks aimed at achieving breakthrough ecological and economical performance of SST. This will allow for creating the world’s unique low-sonic-boom quiet SST.