Sukhoi Superjet With Horizontal Winglets Gets Approval From Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency

Following a series of flight tests, SSJ100 Sukhoi Superjet with horizontal Winglets dubbed saberlets has received Major Change Approval from Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency.

In October 2019, United Aircraft Corporation (UAV) announced that 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.

Now, Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC) has said that it has delivered the first aircraft with the winglets to Severstal Aircompany (AC tail number is RA89135).

The main advantage of the aircraft with the winglets is a better economic efficiency. “SSJ100 Operators will achieve their fuel costs reduction by at least 4%. It’s important that the new development didn’t affect the mass of the aircraft as far as the winglets are made of composite materials. Apart from a lower fuel burn the installation of the winglets will improve the take-off and landing performance together with decrease of the environmental impact,” explained SCAC's Deputy Director General for Development, Mr. Andrey Nedosekin.

The approval opens up options for export of the aircraft with saberlets.

Saberlets are develeoped by Sukhoi and Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) through complex 3D optimisation based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques. The winglets supposedly improves take-off and landing performance of the aircraft, and delivers 4% better fuel burn. 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%.

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