The specialists of electro-technical and electro-mechanical divisions of the TsAGI’s “Aerodynamics of aircraft and rockets” department have completed work on putting into operation and mastering the new power supply for the main drive of T-106 wind-tunnel, mounted following the results of modernization carried out in 2010-2011, TsAGI reports. AEX.ru 

The return of T-106 into operation enables the capability of testing the models with minimum geometry distortion in a takeoff and landing configuration with increased Reynolds numbers and testing of models with transonic Mach numbers. 

At present the specialists of “Strength and load standards” and “Aerodynamics of aircraft and rockets” departments of TsAGI have started working on first testing since the completion of the modernization. They are carrying out flutter testing of PAK FA’s vertical stabilizer console. The customer is Sukhoi design bureau.

The waiver of motor-generators in favor of thyristor converters helps saving the electricity and accelerates the preparation of the wind-tunnel for launches. At that, the increased power enables implementation of the whole range of wind-tunnel’s regimes and provides its future expansion along with increased precision of maintaining the speed of the flow. The modernization caused the necessity of equipping the generator hall with water cooling systems, air ventilation and climate-control controlled from an operator’s computer work station. 

T-106 wind-tunnel is one of the most demanded aerodynamic plants of the institute used for studying the aircraft of different roles within the range of high subsonic and transonic speeds, TsAGI noted.