Alenia Aeronautica has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Russian Central Aero-Hydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) covering joint research and development of civil airframes, as well advanced aerodynamics and the design of new-generation aircraft, writes Pino Modola.
The first phase will start next summer, and will see the two work together on development of the Superjet 100 regional jet, which Sukhoi Civil Aircraft is developing with the support of Alenia Aeronautica and sister Finmeccanica companies Alenia Aermacchi, Galileo Avionica and Selex Communications. Italy's Avio is contributing to the design, development and production of the aircraft's Snecma/Saturn SaM146 turbofan.
In the Cold War era, TsAGI was the leading Soviet organisation for aerodynamic design and carried out the studies that resulted in the tailed-delta configuration of the Mikoyan MiG-21 and Sukhoi Su-9/11 fighters. Today the institute is co-operating with many international companies, providing its huge infrastructure, including several windtunnels of various sizes and speeds, and skilled staff to support the design of new aircraft.
The memorandum of understanding signed with Alenia Aeronautica is not limited to a single project. It provides for a wide, strategic co-operation between the Russian institute and the Italian company, the eventual reach of which will be established in the future.
Source: Flight International
