The Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute named after N.E. Zhukovsky has completed testing of SSJ-NEW short-haul aircraft with Russian PD-8 engines.
TsAGI researchers have studied aerohydrodynamic behavior of the SSJ-NEW with nacelles of new Russian-made PD-8 engine which is to replace foreign SaM-146s used before. Identification of the optimum angles of incidence of vortex generators in PD-8 engine nacelles was another goal of the experimental research.
The test was carried out in TsAGI’s transonic wind tunnel in cruise mode at Mach 0.75 to 0.82. In addition to weight studies, oil-flow visualization was performed at the wing, pylon and engine nacelle juncture in order to identify potential unfavourable interference areas. Visualization has shown that there were no unfavourable effects in PD-8 engine nacelle installation area.
“This is an important stage on the way towards the SSJ-NEW flight test that is supposed to be started as early as next year. High aerohydrodynamic properties of the SSJ-NEW with Russian engine were confirmed and, upon completion of the engine prototype test on Il-76 flying laboratory, we will be ready to start integration of the new propulsion into the aircraft together with UEC colleagues,” emphasized Andrey Boginsky, Deputy General Director of Civil Aviation of UAC – General Director of Irkut Corporation.
