Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Alford, W. J., Jr..
The results, status, and plans of NASA sponsored advanced aerodynamics and active controls technology activities are reported. Development of subsonic, energy efficient transport aircraft technologies is emphasized.
A summary assessment is made of foreign civil aviation as it relates to the posture of the United States civil aviation industry. Major findings include: (1) Main competitors - European Economic Community (EEC) and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). (2) Largest commercial market - Transport aircraft. (3) Current market status and projections - U.S. currently dominates the civil aviation market but foreign markets show greater growth trends. (4) Competitive comparisons - Status comparisons are made in technology (aerodynamics, structures and materials, propulsion, avionics, systems, design coordination, and manufacturing); production runs; marketing; and postsales support. The U.S. generally leads except in aerodynamics and propulsion. (5) Multinational ventures - Joint U.S. industry/foreign government development of advanced technology engines is well developed; airframe industry discussions are now underway. (6) Implications - Although the U.S., is currently preeminent in most areas, this may be only a temporary condition. Past U.S. success in aviation has provided many benefits to the nation. These benefits may be lost.
An assessment is provided of the future of air cargo by analyzing air cargo statistics and trends, by noting air cargo system problems and inefficiencies, by analyzing characteristics of air-eligible commodities, and by showing the promise of new technology for future cargo aircraft with significant improvements in costs and efficiency. NASA's proposed program is reviewed which would sponsor the research needed to provide for development of advanced designs by 1985.
A status report is provided on current thinking concerning potential improvements in fuel efficiency and possible alternate fuels. Topics reviewed are: (1) historical trends in airplane efficiency; (2) technological opportunities including supercritical aerodynamics, (3) vortex diffusers, (4) composite materials, (5) propulsion systems, (6) active controls, and terminal-area operations; (7) unconventional design concepts, and (8) hydrogen-fueled airplane.
A status report is provided on current thinking concerning potential improvements in fuel efficiency and possible alternate fuels. Topics reviewed are: historical trends in airplane efficiency; technological opportunities including supercritical aerodynamics, vortex diffusers, composite materials, propulsion systems, active controls, and terminal-area operations; unconventional design concepts, and hydrogen-fueled airplane.
NASA has undertaken an Advanced Transport Technology Program directed toward defining technology advances that would contribute to a superior subsonic long-haul transport aircraft for conventional takeoff and landing. The aircraft, engine industries, and airlines play substantial parts in the program. Major objectives of the studies include the making of conceptual layouts of new subsonic transport aircraft incorporating projected advances and the identification of the potential benefits and costs of the technology advances. Another goal is the definition of the ground and flight research activities required to bring the advanced technologies to a state of readiness for industry use by the late 1970s.
Aerodynamic center shifts of rigid wing-body combinations at increased Mach numbers
Transonic aerodynamic characteristics of two variable sweep aircraft configurations capable of low level supersonic attack
Cruise performance and aerodynamic stability characteristics of multimission jet V/STOL AIRCRAFT
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Flight efficiency, stability and control, structures and materials, and operating problems of supersonic transport aircraft
Survey of work done in britain, france and u.s. on jet v/stol aircraft, including the development of lift-engine and vectored-thrust engine designs
Subsonic and supersonic aerodynamic characteristics of aircraft configuration using double pivot variable sweep wings
Variable sweep wing configuration for supersonic aircraft
Performance, stability, and control of three V/STOL variable-wing-sweep aircraft configurations at transonic speeds
Wind tunnel data of X-15 and B-52 aircraft models carry loads and mutual interference
Wind tunnel studies at supersonic and transonic speeds to determine aerodynamic characteristics of variable sweep wing aircraft - configuration