Schweizer Aircraft plans to fly its RU-38B ultra-quiet surveillance aircraft before the end of this month. The twin-turboprop aircraft is under development for an unidentified US government customer, with the first delivery scheduled for May. The design is a development of Schweizer's sailplane-derivedSA 2-37B quiet reconnaissance aircraft, already in service "every place the USA is operating", says company president Paul Schweizer.
The twin-boom, pusher/tractor aircraft is powered by two 450shp (335kW) Rolls-Royce 250-B17F turboprops, one of which will be shut down in flight. Wing span is 25.7m (84ft) and gross weight 3,270kg (7,200lb), compared with 21.7m and 1,950kg, respectively, for the single-piston SA 2-37B. The aircraft's payload, including sensors, is 360kg. Its propellers are geared to turn at just 800RPM, with engine exhaust passed over the wing to reduce infrared signature. "The aircraft is undetectable at 2,000ft," says Schweizer.
The initial customer will operate the aircraft as a two-seater, but others will typically fly with three or four crew, with sensor operator seats behind the pilots, he says.
Source: Flight International
