Kirov developer Vasily Filshin described the design of a new passenger aircraft with a hybrid power plant and an unusual aerodynamic scheme. He proposed a combination of a gas turbine engine, powerful electric motors, and impellers in annular fairings with a total thrust of up to 38 tons.
The project is designed according to the "canard" scheme with a forward horizontal stabilizer and a mixed-sweep wing. The design simultaneously uses sections of straight and inverse sweep – something rarely seen in civil aviation due to its high complexity.
In the tail section, Filshin placed a hybrid power plant based on the NK-93 engine or a similar turbine.
It works with two coaxial electric motors through a system of planetary gearboxes. A 20-megawatt booster electric motor is connected in maximum power mode.
The designer claims that this scheme can reduce fuel consumption by almost half compared to existing liners.
The aircraft will be able to taxi on the airfield without starting the main turbine, and during landing, the impellers switch to reverse mode to shorten the landing roll.
Another interesting feature is the energy recovery system. During descent, the propellers act as generators and recharge the batteries. The patent also claims reduced noise, increased safety, and the ability to service some electronics directly in flight.
