A computational study of the F-5A forebody emphasizing directional stability

Abstract

CFD has been used to study the F-5A forebody flowfield at high angle-of-attack combined with sideslip. The classic wind tunnel experiment demonstrating the dominant contribution of the F-5A forebody to directional stability at high angle-of-attack has been simulated computationally over an angle-of-attack range from 10 deg to 45 deg. The key wind tunnel trend for C (n-beta) was obtained computationally using the code known as cfl3d to solve the Reynolds' equations using a modified form of the Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model. The computations provide detailed and fascinating insights into the physics of flowfield. The results of the investigation show that CFD has reached a level of development where computational methods can be used for high angle-of-attack aerodynamic design.