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| Model of the concept of M-60 aircraft with an oval fuselage, MAKS-2017 |
The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation has announced a tender for the implementation of research work "Study of the effectiveness of non-traditional aerodynamic schemes of long-haul aircraft (MS) taking into account the use of new technologies and alternative fuels." Research code - "Integral-MS", the Ministry of Industry and Trade is ready to allocate more than 2.5 billion rubles for these promising studies. Tender documentation 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 the spatial connectivity and transport accessibility of territories, an increase in the mobility of the population and the development of domestic tourism, as well as a digital transformation of the industry, a reduction in the carbon footprint and the accelerated introduction of new technologies. To achieve these goals, it is necessary to create a new generation of long-haul aircraft, and this requires the development of advanced scientific and technological groundwork.
In subsonic aviation, the aerodynamics of the classic "pipe with wings and engines on pylons" layout has been brought to a high degree of perfection. As an example, projects MS-21 and CR929 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 integral aerodynamic layouts for mainline aircraft. Such layouts provide ample opportunities for increasing passenger capacity, placing additional volumes of fuel and electrical equipment within the framework of electric propulsion technologies. Various innovative integrated layouts of aircraft of the transport category have not yet been developed either in Russia or abroad. However, when combined with new airframe composite structures, innovative layouts can realize their benefits.
The winner of the tender will have to develop technical concepts for advanced long-haul integrated circuit aircraft using composite structures based on bionic principles, including an oval fuselage, integrated wings and fuselage, unconventional engine placement, as well as research on the possibilities of using hydrogen fuel.
In the course of R&D, patent research and analysis of modern theoretical and applied developments, results of previous work, advanced information technologies, hardware and software in the field of aviation technology should be carried out. The results of the ongoing computational and experimental studies should ensure the achievement of technology readiness level 3-5, i.e.:
- UGT3: Critical functions and/or characteristics are confirmed by analytical and experimental means;
- UGT4: Component and/or mock-up tested in a lab environment;
- UGT5: The component and/or mock-up has been tested in an environment close to the real one.
R&D 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, should be performed. At the final stage, requirements for a promising long-haul aircraft and a roadmap for the formation of an NTZ should be developed to ensure its creation.
The total cost of research and development is 2 billion 584 million rubles. Deadlines - from the date of conclusion of the contract (2022) until November 15, 2024. The deadline for submitting applications for participation in the tender is August 22, 2022.
(USD 1 = RUB 60.983)