TsAGI continues to develop the “Elephant”, an An-124 sized aircraft

TsAGI's press release (original in russian, text below translated with Google translator)




Specialists of the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after Professor N.Е. Zhukovsky (part of the Research Center "Institute named after N. Zhukovsky") continue to develop a new heavy transport aircraft "Elephant". Currently designed aerodynamic model of a promising aircraft.



The designed model of the aircraft consists of the fuselage, wing, nacelle, vertical and horizontal tail, landing gear. Its distinctive feature is the central section of the fuselage, performing the function of a power core. The remaining structural elements are mounted on this main unit. This solution will reduce the number of manufactured parts and simplify assembly technology.

The model is designed for testing in transonic and subsonic wind tunnels TsAGI and is universal. It can be modified by changing the length and diameter of the fuselage, the shape of the wing, its location along the axis, etc. It is planned that the first experimental studies will take place in August and September of this year.

Recall that previously the technical concept of the Elephant was developed and its main geometric and mass parameters were determined. The aircraft will compete with such aircraft as the An-124 Ruslan, Boeing 747-8F, etc. The aircraft will carry 150 tons of cargo over distances up to 7000 km with a cruising speed of 850 km / h. At the maximum payload (180 tons), the practical flight range will be 4900 km.