More Than 140 Flights Conducted During The Campaign
The flight test program of the SSJ100 with the horizontal wing tips has been successfully completed at an airport in Zhukovsky, Russia.
Two Sukhoi SSJ100 with serial numbers 95032 and 95157 fitted with the horizontal wing tips took part in the testing. One of them had ice simulators of special shape on the leading edge and the empennage.
More than 140 flights were performed in accordance with the test program. The program consisted of the examination of the takeoff and landing performance, stability and manageability, flight control systems, lights and VNAV. There were tests for structural integrity, high-speed flights, and evaluation of performance at critical angles of attack. Fuel consumption analysis at different stages of flight were also performed.
The saber-like configuration of the tips installed on to the Sukhoi Superjet 100 were the result of extensive research, engineering and experimental activities carried out by the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (UAC subsidiary) with the assistance of Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI). The geometry of the tips was determined with the implementation of the innovative methods of 3D optimization based on numerical computation called Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) – the unique TsAGI know-how used in Russian aviation industry in particular for Sukhoi Superjet 100 program.
“Sukhoi Superjet 100 – is dynamically developing program. The installation of the saberlets allows to simultaneously improve the take-off and landing performance. Moreover, fuel effectiveness will improve. Customers will be able to decrease the fuel consumption for no less than 4 percent," said Denis Manturov, Minister for Industry and Trade of Russian Federation.
“Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company is consequently implementing the Sukhoi Superjet 100 improvement program aiming at market expansion and the increase of the number of Customers, the current Operators satisfaction level growth and the maintenance of the high competitive level of the product. The wing tips installation being t he part of the improvement program will provide the operators with cost cut up to 10 000 000 rubles per year per one SSJ100," said Ravil Khakimov, Director General of the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company.
The completion of a full-scale program of ground and flight tests will result in the certification of the SSJ100 with the horizontal tips – saberlets and they will be offered as an option to the Customers and the Operators. The wingtips will be available on new aircraft as well as a retrofit option on airplanes that have already been delivered.
Saberlet kits are manufactured by Voronezh aircraft manufacturer (VASO), which belongs to UAC Transport Division. The kits are made of modern composite materials produced and certified in Russia and abroad.
(Image provided with Sukhoi news release)
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