VLADIMIR KARNOZOV / MOSCOW
Aerofoil fuselage design aimed at combining passenger comfort with improved aerodynamic performance
A Russian design bureau is working on a wide aerofoil fuselage regional aircraft concept, which could offer improved aerodynamic performance and passenger comfort.
Moscow-based Aviastep says its 5,000km (2,700nm)-range, Mach 0.8 "Project 111" jet would have a cabin 10m (33ft) long and 7m wide, with seating for about 100 passengers.
Aviastep general director Sergei Bogdanov says the design builds on lessons learned on blended fuselage fighter aircraft, but has an aerofoil-shaped fuselage mated to an ordinary wing with conventional pylon-mounted engines. Aviastep estimates the layout would provide a cruise lift/drag ratio of at least 17, compared with 13-15 for the best "classic" designs.
The wide fuselage would require the use of a twin tail arrangement for lateral and pitch control. Field performance is projected to be comparable to the current range of regional jets.
The proposed aircraft would have a single deck for cargo and passengers, and is expected to have a take-off weight of about 50,000kg (110,000lb). Aviastep says that if feasibility studies run well, a prototype could fly within seven or eight years.
Source: Flight International
