TsAGI tests the next stage of the advanced twin-fuselage aircraft
30 May 2018
The specialists of the Zhukovsky Central AeroHydrodynamic Institute continue their research of the advanced medium transport twin-fuselage aircraft.
This time, the object under test was an aircraft mockup with take-off and landing high-lift devices designed as zap flaps. Two versions of the flaps were tested: flaps with straight trailing edges and flaps with saw-edged trailing edges.
Experiments were conducted in TsAGI’s small subsonic wind tunnel in take-off and landing modes at an air speed of up to 50 m/s. The scientists found a favourable effect of using flaps with saw-edged trailing edge. The effect manifests itself in reduced drag of the mockup during take-off and landing.
Earlier, the specialists identified specific features of the advanced twin-fuselage aircraft mockup flow and compared it with standard characteristics of a single-fuselage aircraft. The tests proved that the twin-fuselage configuration featured a rather high aerodynamic cleanness. In addition, the efficiency of controls (elevators and rudders) for an aircraft of this type was determined. The findings are the basis for developing a bank of aerodynamic characteristics for designing an aircraft flight control system.
The next stage of the research is scheduled for early 2019. The Institute specialists in charge of aerodynamics will test the adaptive high-lift devices.
The advanced twin-fuselage aircraft will be used for transportation of a wide range of cargoes with a total weight of up to 40 tons including transportation of oversized cargoes suspended on a special under-wing pylon. Also, such aircraft may be used as spacecraft carriers. The project has been developed within the framework of the state program “Aircraft industry development in