Russia's supersonic biz jet on track
Planned
wind tunnel tests to evaluate parameters of a sonic boom in cruise-flight
mode
Russia is getting closer to developing its own supersonic business
jet, AINonline reported.
The state-of-the-art Russian jet is beginning
tests in the supersonic wind tunnel at the Russian Khristianovich Institute of
Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, according to industry analysts and media
outlets.
Interfax Russia recently reported the main goal of these tests
is evaluating parameters of a sonic boom in cruise-flight mode.
After the
tests, Tupolev - which has developed the "White Swan" Tu-160 supersonic bomber
and is the main designer of the new business jet - plans to create an electronic
geometric model of the aircraft with maximum allowable levels of sonic
boom.
In terms of its technical characteristics, the new business jet
will be able to top Mach 1.5. Max takeoff weight is expected to be 70 tons
(154,324 pounds). The cabin will accommodate up to 30 passengers.
Due to
its airframe configuration, aerodynamic characteristics will be optimized in all
modes of flight, according to the information available.
Tupolev earlier
this year said it expected a prototype of the aircraft to perform its first
flight in 2027. The total cost of the project is estimated at RUB 120 billion
(US$2 billion).
Business aviation leaders and analysts in Russia see
market potential but remain skeptical regarding the prospects of the new
supersonic business jet, the report said. Even Russian President Vladimir Putin
backed the enterprise, suggesting that Russia's current economy would support
the development and operation of a supersonic passenger aircraft.
"We now
need to go back to supersonic passenger travel. We should think about it," said
Putin.
According to NASA, the secret to "quiet" supersonic travel was
first theorized in the 1960s.
It all has to do with the unique shape of
the aircraft hull. In a conventional aircraft, shockwaves coalesce as they
expand away from the nose and tail, resulting in two distinct and thunderous
sonic booms.
In newly designed supersonic aircraft, the shockwaves are
sent away from the aircraft, in a way that prevents them from coming together in
two loud booms. The result is much weaker shockwaves, and, perhaps a quick
series of soft thumps heard on the ground, if it all.
"Unlike commercial
aviation, where the prices of tickets are much more important than speed, the
new aircraft could be of interest to business aviation customers, many of which
are willing to pay more if it comes to a significant reduction in travel time,
while keeping traditional advantages of business aviation," said Oleg Ivanov,
corporate affairs director of A-Group Aero, a major FBO operator and ground
handler at the Moscow Sheremetyevo and St. Petersburg's Pulkovo
airports.
But Ivanov added, "The main problem, however, is related with
engines that will be used on such aircraft. The questions of particular
importance are resource and cost-effectiveness of these engines, as well as the
possibility of their use on other aircraft."
He pointed to similar
projects ongoing in the U.S. and called the Aerion AS2 among the most promising.
He further noted Boom Technology's plans for a supersonic full-size business
aircraft capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 2.2.
Asia Times reported
last year that Ctrip, one of China's leading online travel sites, along with
Virgin Galactic and Japan Airlines have both invested in the Boom Technology
project.
In the meantime, Alexander Lanetsky, director of Friendly Avia
Support, a leading business aviation analyst and consulting company in Russia
and the former Soviet region, considers the Tupolev project as
promising.
"The niche of supersonic business jets has been very
attractive in recent years in Russia and abroad," Lanetstky told
AINonline.
This renowned design bureau has serious experience and some
real achievements in this field. They are, however, mostly dated from the 1960s
and 70s, when it successfully completed the design of Tu-144 supersonic
passenger aircraft, along with several military aircraft, based on supersonic
technologies."
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