SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
During 2023-24, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) made significant strides in the development of the RTA-90 regional transport aircraft. Key activities included extensive structural design and analysis, aerodynamic characterization, cockpit mock-up construction, and propulsion system advancements.
The RTA-90’s fuselage underwent detailed structural design and optimization, focusing on critical parameters like weight distribution, material thickness, stress points, deflection contours, and buckling eigenvalues. By simulating various load scenarios and estimating fatigue load spectrums, CSIR-NAL aimed to create a durable fuselage optimized for lightweight and resilient performance. This approach not only enhances the aircraft’s structural integrity but also contributes to fuel efficiency, crucial for regional transport operations.
CSIR-NAL conducted comprehensive aerodynamic evaluations of the RTA-90 through high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. This process included simulating a full-scale model to determine stability derivatives, sizing the vertical and horizontal tail surfaces, and assessing longitudinal and directional stability. Detailed flow analysis identified areas of strong airflow separation, guiding the design of aerodynamically efficient nacelles, winglets, and fairing regions.
The final aerodynamic model incorporated all control surface gaps and examined the impact of various factors, including control power, hinge moments, flap effects, and power effects. For instance, tests with a 35° flap angle used numerical flow visualization techniques to analyze surface pressure distribution and streamline patterns. These insights were pivotal in refining the RTA-90’s aerodynamic profile, improving lift, drag, and overall efficiency.
A full-scale RTA cockpit mock-up was also completed, equipped with advanced systems that CSIR-NAL envisions for the final aircraft. The cockpit features next-generation displays, as well as communications, navigation, and surveillance systems designed to enhance pilot experience and situational awareness.
Incorporating a Fly-By-Wire (FBW) system with active inputs from flight control panels and joysticks, the mock-up provides pilots with a realistic feel for aircraft handling. Additional controls simulate subsystems like power plant management, environmental controls, electrical systems, and anti-icing functions. An electronic flight bag in the cockpit offers data display and essential calculations for performance, weight and balance, and fuel requirements, giving pilots a comprehensive suite of in-flight tools.
CSIR-NAL’s Propulsion Division developed a Cabin Air Compressor (CAC) to be integrated into the RTA-90 as part of the project definition phase. The CAC is designed to provide efficient air compression for cabin pressurization, essential for passenger comfort and safety during flights at higher altitudes. This marks a critical step toward self-reliant propulsion systems and complements the broader goals of the RTA-90 program to advance indigenous aviation technology.
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