MOSCOW. July 14 (Interfax) - The second stage of testing a prototype of the heavy transport aircraft Slon (Elephant) has concluded at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI), its press service said on Tuesday.
"The Slon project aims to research the technology for an advanced transport aircraft which would replace the Soviet heavy long-range transport aircraft [Antonov] An-124 Ruslan. The aircraft will transport heavy and large-sized cargoes over a distance of about 7,000 kilometers at a speed of 850 kilometers per hour," a statement obtained by Interfax said.
At the second stage of testing, TsAGI scientists analyzed the model's aerodynamics at small flight speeds in the longitudinal and lateral canals of a wind tunnel (ADT T-102), the press service said.
In 2021, the institute is planning to improve on the aerodynamics based on the results of the tests, to design the high lift devices, and to conduct further wind tunnel tests of the Slon.
The new aircraft requires a 3km runway. Maximum payload: 180 tonnes (for comparison: 120 tonnes for An-124). The Slon is being designed to be used with the future Russian high-bypass turbofan engine PD-35, TsAGI said.