Russian Aircraft Has Passed 'Several Tests'

A prototype of the "aircraft of the future" has been assembled at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) MISIS KINETICA High Complexity Prototyping Center in Pakistan at the request of the Russian company Bartini. The "air taxi" has already successfully passed several tests, Bartini says, and the company plans to complete development and present the air taxi on the commercial market by 2020.

The air taxi will operate on three main principles: electric traction, the aerodynamics (mobility) of its wing, and taking off and landing vertically. The device takes off vertically like a helicopter and then accelerates on a horizontal plane, its propellers rotating perpendicular to the vehicle's body so it can continue flying like an airplane. Landing takes place in the reverse order, operating on the same principles.

"The functions of a quadcopter, a "flying wing", and convertiplanes [have been] implemented in our electro-flight", said Vitaly Salatov, Technical Director at Bartini.

As part of the cooperation between NUST MISIS and Bartini, the engineers from the KINETICA Prototyping Center started assembling the prototype of the device in March 2018. By May, the design was completed and the technical tests had begun. During repeated tests in open space, the prototype demonstrated good maneuverability and stability of its control systems. "We had to produce certain parts and components-equipment for the composite coating of carbon fiber-as well as assemble the final version of the air taxi prototype on a 1:2 scale. The body is made of polymer materials and the axes of steel, powered by lithium batteries. The prototype`s weight is about 132 pounds, and its top speed is about 110 knots. The device is controlled remotely. Four "wings" hold twin rotors fixed to the movable axes-carry out [its] takeoff, air support and movement. This is the Bartini effect, named after the famous Italian aircraft designer," said Pavel Kosyatov, head of the Production Department at KINETICA.

Bartini`s effect is an increase in the thrust of the aircraft rotors and a decrease in the drag due to the special paired arrangement of the motors rotating in different directions. The motors are aligned in a special metal ring, and the whole structure is called an impeller.

"NUST MISIS' KINETICA High Complexity Prototyping Center opened in 2017. It is a high-tech platform that has no analogues in Russia or abroad. Thanks to our talented engineers and unique equipment, the University can implement a full cycle of prototypes commissioned by our business partners. The developments are unique and anticipate customer expectations", noted Alevtina Chernikova, Rector of NUST MISIS.

Cooperation between NUST MISIS' KINETICA Prototyping Center and Bartini will continue into the future. The short-term plans are to recalculate the air taxi's aerodynamic characteristics to create a full-size pre-production sample.

(Image provided with NUST MISIS news release)

FMI: en.misis.ru