Flight Test Program Completed for the Sukhoi Superjet 100, Aimed at the Icing Impact Assessment Over the Performance of the Aircraft Equipped With the Saberlets

At the aerodrome situated in Zhukovsky the flight test program of the SSJ100 with the horizontal wing tips was successfully completed.

Two SSJ100 with the manufacturer serial numbers 95032 and 95157 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.

In accordance with the test program there were performed more than 140 flights. The flight program consisted of the examination of the takeoff and landing performance, stability and manageability, flight control systems , lights, VNAV. There were the tests for strength, flights for high speeds, critical angles and cat. I, II, IIIa (takeoff-landing) performed and also in modes for the fuel consumption analysis at different stages of flight carried out.

The saber-like configuration of the tips installed on to the Sukhoi Superjet 100 turned out to be the result of a number of 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%”, as noted by Minister for Industry and Trade of Russian Federation Denis Manturov.

“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”, underlined Director General of the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company, Ravil Khakimov.

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 installation of the tips is possible not only to new aircraft but to the already delivered aircraft as well.

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.