Superjet International provided us with information on the forthcoming winglets for the SSJ. These winglets are being called “Saberlets”.
Today a Sukhoi Superjet 100 performed its first flight with the saberlets at Zhukovsky.  The saber-like configuration of the tips installed on to the Superjet 100 are the result of several research, engineering and experimental activities carried out by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company with the assistance of Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI).
The geometry of the tips was determined with the implementation of innovative methods of 3D optimization based on Computational Fluid Dynamics – an internal TsAGI know-how used in Russian aviation industry in particular for Sukhoi Superjet 100 program.
The results of research and experiments show the installation of the saber-like tips allows to simultaneously improve the take-off and landing performance and decrease the fuel consumption by at least 3%.
The expected improvement of the take-off and landing characteristics will be obvious for carriers operating the aircraft on regional runways and in hot weather conditions as well as on mountains.
“Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company is consequently implementing the Sukhoi Superjet 100 improvement program aiming at market expansion and the increase of the number of Customers, the current Operators satisfaction level growth and the maintenance of the high competitive level of the product. The wing tips installation being the part of the improvement program will provide the operators with cost cut up to $70 000 per year per one SSJ100″, said President of the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company Alexander Rubtsov.
The end of a full-scale program of ground and flight tests will result in the certification of the SSJ100 with the saberlets and they will be offered as an option to customers. The installation of the tips is possible not only for new aircraft but also as a retrofit. VASO (Voronezh aircraft manufacturer) is the manufacturer of the saberlets kits, the materials used are certified in Russia as well as abroad.
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