Sukhoi Superjet with Saberlet Winglets Completes Tests

Russia has completed testing of Sukhoi Superjet SSJ100 airplane with horizontal wing tips dubbed “Saberlets” at Zhukovsky, near Moscow.

“Tests of two SSJ100 jets (bearing manufacturer serial numbers 95032 and 95157) with the horizontal wing tips was successfully completed. The aircraft performed 140 flights,” UAC said in a statement Friday.

The Sukhoi Superjet was tested for its take-off and landing performance, stability and manageability, flight control systems, lights, and vertical navigation. The plane was tested at high speeds, critical angles, and in modes for the fuel consumption analysis at different stages of flight carried out, UAC said.

Saberlets are develeoped by Sukhoi and Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) through complex 3D optimisation based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques. One of the aircraft also sported ice simulators of special shapes on the leading edge and empennage of the wing.

Saberlet winglets supposedly improves take-off and landing performance of the aircraft, and delivers 3% better fuel burn, will be standard and available for retrofit. Flight tests with the winglets began in December 2017. By November 2018, the TsAGI carried out wind tunnel tests on two modified wing designs to save structural weight: one with less wing sweep and the other with more relative thickness, also enhancing aerodynamics and load capabilities, and improving fuel efficiency by nearly 10%.

“The completion of a full-scale program of ground and flight tests will result in the certification of the SSJ100 with the horizontal tips – saberlets and they will be offered as an option to the customers. The tips can be installed even on delivered aircraft,” UAC said.

Manufactured by Voronezh aircraft manufacturer (VASO), Saberlet kits are made of modern composite materials produced and certified in Russia and abroad.