Study on a twin-fuselage transport airplane model in a low speed wind tunnel

This paper presents the results of experimental studies of the twin-fuselage transport airplane model at the cruising configuration in the T-102 TsAGI low-speed wind tunnel. The researched twin-fuselage transport airplane is a tri-engine transport aircraft intended for transportation of cargo weighted up to 40 tons at a distance up to 3000 km with speed 700-740 km/h. The aerodynamic configuration has the two fuselages distributed under high-wing, and a "TT" - shaped tail. The research purpose was the determination of the aerodynamic characteristics of the twin-fuselage transport airplane model without engine nacelles and assessment of the twin-fuselage layout impact on control surfaces efficiency. The effect of installing an external cryogenic fuel tank under the wing between the fuselages of the model was considered too.