The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation has announced a tender for the performance of research work "Research on the effectiveness of unconventional aerodynamic schemes of mainline aircraft (MS), taking into account the use of new technologies and alternative fuels." The cipher of research and development is Integral–MS, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is ready to allocate more than 2.5 billion rubles for these promising studies. The tender documentation is posted on the website of the Unified Information System in the field of procurement.
The transport strategy of the Russian Federation until 2030 with a forecast for the period up to 2035 provides for an increase in spatial connectivity and transport accessibility of territories, increased mobility of the population and the development of domestic tourism, as well as digital transformation of the industry, reduction of the carbon footprint and accelerated introduction of new technologies. To achieve these goals, it is necessary to create a new generation of mainline aircraft, and for this it is necessary to develop an advanced scientific and technological reserve.
In subsonic aviation, the aerodynamics of the classic "tube with wings and engines on pylons" layout has been brought to a high degree of perfection. As an example, the MS-21 and CR929 projects can be cited. Further improvement within the framework of the same concept is already proceeding at a slower pace, which necessitates the creation of integral aerodynamic layouts.
As part of this research, it is planned to conduct a study of the effectiveness of integrated aerodynamic layouts for mainline aircraft. Such layouts provide ample opportunities to increase passenger capacity, accommodate additional volumes of fuel and electrical equipment within the framework of electric propulsion technologies. Various innovative integrated layouts of transport category aircraft have not yet been developed either in Russia or abroad. However, in combination with new composite airframe designs, innovative layouts can realize their advantages.
The winner of the tender will have to develop technical concepts of promising mainline integrated circuit aircraft using composite structures based on bionic principles, including an oval-section fuselage, integrated wings and fuselage, unconventional engine placement, as well as research into the possibilities of using hydrogen fuel.
In the course of R&D, patent research and analysis of modern theoretical and applied developments, the results of previously performed work, advanced information technologies, hardware and software in the field of creating aviation equipment should be carried out. The results of the conducted computational and experimental studies should ensure the achievement of the level of readiness of technologies 3-5, i.e.:
- UGT3: Critical functions and/or characteristics have been confirmed analytically and experimentally;
- UGT4: Component and/or layout tested in a laboratory environment;
- UGT5: The component and/or layout have been tested in an environment close to the real one.
Research and development is divided into five stages, at each of which computational and experimental studies on aerodynamic layouts, bionic and composite structures, types of ecological fuel, including hydrogen, must be performed. At the final stage, the requirements for a promising mainline aircraft and a roadmap for the formation of the NTZ should be developed to ensure its creation.
The total cost of research is 2 billion 584 million rubles. Deadlines – from the date of conclusion of the contract (2022) to November 15, 2024. The deadline for submitting applications for participation in the tender is August 22, 2022.
