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Aviation History
1989
1989 - 3221.PDF
TECHNICAL: AIR TRANSPORT Saab designs "fastest turboprop" BY ALAN POSTLETHWAITE IN LINKOPING Saab has finalised the configu ration and major systems of the Saab 2000 regional turbo prop. The Swedish company is to build a high-performance aircraft capable of cruising at 360kt and equipped with advanced systems including six-tube electronic flight instrumentation (EFIS) and dual-redundant full-authority digital engine control (FADEC). The $12 million aircraft will, Saab hopes, be the fastest turboprop airliner available and be significantly quieter inside than the smaller Saab 340. Manufacture will be character ised by a strong element of sub contracting, involving suppliers in the USA and Europe, and at least two governments taking a stake in the $550 million programme, although production of the main fuselage and final assembly will take place at Saab's Linkoping factory. Performance targets include: • 360kt (Mach 0-62) cruise • lOmin climb to 20,000ft • ability to cruise at between 18,000ft and 31,000ft • block times comparable to jet airliners and block fuel per passenger equal to the Saab 340 • balanced field length of 4,500ft • internal noise 10 dB(A) below the Saab 340's, at 76 dB(A) • economic range flexibility between 100 n.m. and 1,000 n.m. (maximum 1,340 n.m.). 340 CROSS-SECTION The Saab 2000 fuselage has the same cross-section as the Saab 340, but is stretched by some 272-5in to accommodate 15 extra seats at 32in pitch, forward toilets and wardrobes, aft galley, and storage space for eight cater ing trolleys. There is 8ft3 of checked luggage space per passenger. Overall fuselage length is 88ft 7;n. The wings, tail- plane, and fin are scaled up from those on the Saab 340. The conventional structure, which has less than 5 per cent of composite parts by weight, is to be guaranteed for 60,000h and 75,000 cycles—a shift in empha sis from the Saab 340's life of Saab 2000 <X 45,000h and 90,000 cycles. Power is to be provided by a pair of Allison GMA 2100 turbo- props. Now being developed, these engines use the core of the T406 turboshaft that powers the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt- rotor, driving a gearbox based on the unit in the T56 turboprop. To be type-rated at 4,500 s.h.p., the GMA 2100 will deliver 3,500 s.h.p. at take-off and 2,200 s.h.p. in the cruise. The engines, deliv ering about twice the power of those in the Saab 340, will drive six-bladed propellers with highly swept blades. A £ADEC, simplified from the more complex T406 military unit, will integrate engine and propeller handling for single- lever control, and will include a health monitor capable of send ing data to the cockpit displays or a mechanics computer for on- condition maintenance. Saab has completed prelimi nary aerodynamic and structural design and expects to finish detailed design work within three months. Further windtunnel tests are due to start in Switzer land and the Netherlands this month. CASA of Spain last week signed a $500 million. contract with Saab to perform detailed wing design and build 300 wing shipsets. Westland of the UK is understood to be negotiating to supply the rear fuselage and empennage—announcement of a supplier is expected next week. Dowty is negotiating to supply the propellers, though Saab has said the firm must improve US product support if it is to be given the order. Rockwell-Collins is in "final negotiations" to supply the six-tube EFIS, similar to the system in the new Boeing 747-400, says Saab. A request for proposals on the interior has yet to secure a supplier. The under carriage supplier has yet to be chosen. KIT ASSEMBLY Saab will be assembling much of the new aircraft as a kit, Allison providing engine/nacelle units ready to bolt on to CASA's wings. The wings will be complete with moving surfaces, lower nacelle structure, undercarriage, d'oors, moving surfaces, and all systems ready for mating with the fuse lages at Linkoping. Saab is expanding the Lin koping plant to accommodate production of the new aircraft and an anticipated increase in output of the Saab 340B. A new automated fuselage-riveting machine will stitch together fuse lage sections, including the two cabin sections, each made up of four reinforced and bonded panels. Saab 340B fuselages will also be assembled there, the company aiming for maximum flexibility to alter the production mix. Employment is to increase by 800—mainly on the shop floor. Saab is seeking a "royalty- based" loan of $155 million from the Swedish Government to fund further development and pro duction of the aircraft, with repayment in the form of royal ties. The proposal invites the Government to become a risk- sharing partner. CASA is understood to have sought about half of the $8-4 million investment from the Andalusia regional government. Manufacture of the first three test aircraft will start in January —the third will become the first production aircraft. Allison expects to deliver the first test engine in the first quarter of next year, and Saab predicts a Saab 2000 maiden flight in 1992, with certification and deliveries late the following year. • FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 21 October 1989 17
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