[Rusia] TsAGI specialists research the advanced twin-fuselage aircraft mockup

press release

A new series of tests of the advanced medium transport twin-fuselage aircraft mockup were completed in the low-speed wind tunnel of the Central AeroHydrodynamic Institute named after professor N.E. Zhukovsky (TsAGI, part of the National Research Center “Institute named after N.E. Zhukovsky”). The goal of the experiments was to estimate the aerodynamic characteristics and to visualize a physical image of aircraft flow.

Research was done on the longitudinal and side aerodynamic characteristics of the mockup in a cruise configuration, as well as simulating near the earth’s surface, at an air speed up to 50 m/s. Using a wool-tuft technique, the Institute’s scientists visualized the flow patterns. This allowed identifying specific features of the mockup flow and comparing them to the aerodynamic characteristics.

The experiments have shown that the mockup of the transport twin-fuselage aircraft under research has the characteristics comparable to the standard characteristics of a high-winged T-tail single-fuselage aircraft. The results obtained prove remarkable high aerodynamic cleanness of the twin-fuselage configuration.

The project has been developed by TsAGI specialists within the framework of the state program “Aircraft industry development in 2013–2025.” The aircraft is intended for transportation of a wide range of loads with the total weight up to 40 tons. According to the preliminary analysis, with the commercial load being the same, the dead load and longitudinal dimensions of the twin-fuselage aircraft are smaller than those of the single-fuselage one. Additionally, the twin-fuselage aircraft ensures easier loading and unloading within a shorter time.