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At the MAKS 2015 Airshow,
Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (
SCAC) has announced that the new version of the
Sukhoi SuperJet 100 (
SSJ 100) regional aircraft, with the more powerful engines, range extension and winglets, will join the family (
SSJ100-95,
SSJ100-95B,
SSJ100-95LR and
SSJ100-95SBJ) and will be designated as
SSJ100 V100. Installing of the higher thrust engines, developed for the long-range version of the jet, on the aircraft having the same takeoff weight will allow the customers to have more flexibility in terms of aircraft configuration. Optimization of its characteristics allows operating
SSJ100 under conditions of high temperatures and high altitudes.
The new model was developed in order to provide the jet with the new capabilities required by the customers in some specific geographical regions. The major distinctive feature of the
SSJ100 V100 aircraft is the higher thrust engine -
PowerJet SaM146-1S18 (architecture: F+3LPC-6HPC ^ 1HPT-3LPT), 1.224 mm / 48,2 in fan diameter, rated at 79,00 kN / 8.056 kgf / 17.760 lbf, offered as an option for the liner having the basic range. The takeoff thrust was increased thanks to the adjustments made to the engine’s software developed by the
PowerJet (50/50 joint venture between
Snecma S.A. and
NPO Saturn).
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Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (
SCAC) gradually expands its product line, and in the addition to the existing members of
SSJ100 family, having different takeoff weights and ranges, it is going to offer another model to its customers, the one with the the basic takeoff weight, but improved takeoff performance.
The technical solutions used for the development of the new model may become a deciding factor for some users because an opportunity to increase payload while operating the aircraft from airfields located in mountainous regions could be of a great importance to them. First of all, this refers to South and Central Africa, where many airports are located in mountainous regions. India and China are also of the great importance for the program because these countries have high passenger traffic and many airports are located in mountainous regions too. Average height of these airports is over 1.500 m above the sea level; that is why they need a liner with relatively low takeoff weight and high thrust engines. Moreover, the new aircraft will be in demand in countries with hot and humid climate. Taking into account the performance of the
SSJ100 V100, it may also meet the requirements of the European carriers, which have many airports with short runways in their route network.
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SSJ100 V100 will have the range of 3.048 km / 1.893 mi, maximum takeoff weight of 45.880 kg / 101.148 lb and the takeoff distance 10% shorter compared to the basic version.
Since 2017 a new wingtips will be offered as an option for all
SSJ100 airliners; the wingtips will improve the jet’s performance and fuel efficiency.The wingtips’ design optimization, including calculations and testing carried out using wind tunnels of TsAGI and SibNIA. Several variants having vertical or horizontal configuration were considered. The work took around one and a half years. A junction between the wing and the wingtip has been designed as well as the composite wingtip itself. At present a manufacturer is being chosen; probably one of the Russian enterprises involved in
SSJ100 program will start the mass production of these wingtips. The wingtips will deliver up to 4 % in fuel savings. Moreover, the optimized wingtips should improve the takeoff and landing performance. Business -
SSJ100-95SBJ and long-range versions -
SSJ100-95LR of the
SSJ100 liner will also be fitted with the wingtips.
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Personally, I believe that, in addition to the mentioned aerodynamic improvements of the plane, there is a room for the aircraft´s further optimization and efficiency improvement, primarily through the replacement of its engines. The current engines,
PowerJet SaM146, largely based on
.
CFM56 engine, is an reliable and well proven engine, but the one which in its efficiency lags behind the new generation of the engines.
Possible engine options?
Aviadvigatel PD-10 (architecture: F+1LPC-8HPC ^ 2HPT+5LPT) twin-shaft turbofan, fan diameter 1.677 mm / 66,02 in, rated at 106,89 kN / 10.900 kgf / 24.030 lbf, based on the new
OAO Aviadvigatel´s
PD-14 engine, aimed for the
Irkut MS-21 aircraft or maybe
Pratt & Whitney PW1217G (applied on
Mitsubishi MRJ) geared turbofan (architecture: F]G[2LPC-8HPC ^ 2HPT-3LPT), fan diameter 1.422 mm / 56 in, rated at 78,20 kN / 7.974 kgf / 17.580 lbf. Frankly, I am inclined to the belief that the Sukhoi, in order to make
SSJ100 as the all-Russian aircraft, will reach for this first mentioned option, but we´ll see. There is no doubt that
Sukhoi SSJ100 is a terrific aircraft with a bright future...
Nice regards
Mario
Aeroflot - 27 (23 TBD)
Interjet - 21 (9TBD)
SCAT - 15
CityJet - 10
