Some Measurements of the Buffet Region of a Swept-wing Research Airplane During Flights to Supersonic Mach Numbers
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Under the assumption that a wing, body, or wing-body combination is slender or flying at near sonic velocity, expressions are given which permit the calculation of pressure in the immediate vicinity of the configuration. The disturbance field, in both subsonic and supersonic flight, is shown to consist of two-dimensional disturbance fields extending laterally and a longitudinal field that depends on the streamwise growth of cross-sectional area. A discussion is also given of couplings, between lifting and thickness effects, that necessarily arise as a result of the quadratic dependence of pressure on the induced velocity components. (author)
Subsonic and supersonic aerodynamic characteristics of aircraft configuration using double pivot variable sweep wings
Concept proposed to expand use of air-breathing, reusable stages to put more payload into orbit at less cost. Stage with supersonic air-breathing engines added to carry expendable stages from subsonic airplane to supersonic velocity. Carry payload to orbit. Expendable stages and payload placed in front of supersonic air-breathing stage. After releasing expendable stages, remotely piloted supersonic air-breathing stage returns to takeoff site and land for reuse. New concept extends use of low-cost reusable hardware and increases payload delivered from B-52.
A three-degree-of-freedom aircraft landing analysis incorporating a series-hydraulic active control main landing gear has been developed and verified using preliminary experimental data from drop tests of a modified main landing gear from a 2722 kg (6000 lbm) class of airplane. The verified analysis was also employed to predict the landing dynamics of a supersonic research airplane with an active control main landing gear system. The results of this investigation have shown that this type of active gear is feasible and indicate a potential for improving airplane dynamic response and reducing structural fatigue damage during ground operations by approximately 90% relative to that incurred with the passive gear.
The applicability of sonic boom minimization concepts in the design of large supersonic transport airplanes capable of a 2500-nautical-mile range at a cruise Mach number of 2.7 is considered. Aerodynamics, weight and balance, and mission performance as well as sonic boom factors, have been taken into account. The results indicate that shock-strength nominal values of somewhat less than 48 newtons/sq m during cruise are within the realm of possibility. Because many of the design features are in direct contradiction to presently accepted design practices, further study of qualified airplane design teams is required to ascertain sonic boom shock strength levels actually attainable for practical supersonic transports.
Free-flight tests in the transonic and supersonic speed ranges utilizing rocket-propelled models have been made on two pairs of 1/9-scale Convair YF-102 airplane wings with elevons to investigate the possibility of flutter . These wings had modified 60 deg delta plan forms with the trailing edge swept forward 5 deg. The aspect ratio of two exposed wing panels was 2.19 and the wings had NACA 0004-65 (modified) airfoil sections. The model wings and elevons were dynamic-scale models at sea level of the full-scale wings at 20,000 feet. The first set of wings developed elevon buzz near a Mach number of 1 during both power-on and coasting flight at amplitudes of equal to or greater than +/-4 deg.. The second set of wings did not develop the elevon buzz experienced by the first set but, as the model reached the maximum speed of the test (Mach number 1.93), one or both of the wings suddenly failed, possibly as a result of aerodynamic heating or high stresses imposed on the wings at separation from the booster. No flutter was experienced during either flight.
An investigation was conducted to determine the effects of two-position leading edge slats on the low speed aerodynamic characteristics of a swept wing twin-jet supersonic fighter airplane model at high angle of attack and various Reynolds numbers. The investigation was performed at a Mach number of 0.20 over a range of angle of attack from 19 deg to 90 deg and angles of slideslip from -10 deg to 30 deg and Reynolds numbers from 1.97 to 13.12 million per meter.
An investigation has been made to determine the effects of the location of the wing pivot and geometry of the forewing on the static longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics at subsonic speeds of a model representing a variable-sweep supersonic fighter airplane. Results indicate that as the wing-pivot location moves aft and outboard, the change in static margin due to wing sweep is reduced. Increasing the forewing area resulted in a forward shift of the aerodynamic center as well as a slight reduction in the aerodynamic-center variation due to wing sweep.
The International Civil Aviation Organization is considering new environmental standards for future supersonic civil aircraft. NASA is supporting this effort by analyzing several notional, near-term supersonic transports. NASA’s performance, noise, and exhaust emission predictions for these transports are being used to inform a larger study that will determine the global environmental and economic impact of adding supersonic aircraft to the fleet beginning this decade. A supersonic business jet with a maximum takeoff gross weight of 55 tonnes is the focus of this paper. A smaller business jet weighing 45 tonnes is also discussed. Both airplanes use supersonic engines derived from a common contemporary commercial subsonic turbofan core. Aircraft performance, airport-vicinity noise, and exhaust emissions are predicted using NASA tools. Also investigated are some of the anticipated behaviors and requirements of these aircraft in the commercial airspace. The sensitivity of noise to system uncertainties is presented and alternative engine studies are discussed.
Measurements of the response of a large frame-stringer panel excited by supersonic turbulent boundary layer are reported. The statistical description of the wall pressure fluctuations in terms of the mean flow parameters governing the turbulent boundary layer is given. These results can be used in the development of design criteria on the response of sidewall structure of a large airplane in supersonic flight, since both forcing field and structure are realistic. Results indicate the significant importance of the modal coupling and the acoustic damping. The acoustic damping plays a major role in the response of the structure.
The Supersonic Cruise Airplane Research (SCAR) technology program is reported. Mission requirements, cycle considerations, engine evaluation, and SCAR test results are discussed. It is concluded that improved aerodynamics and structures, greater use of composites, and more-refined active controls are needed in the airframe area for designing an economically viable, environmental acceptable supersonic aircraft.
Two engine research experiments were recently completed in Moscow, Russia using an engine from the Tu-144 supersonic transport airplane. This was a joint project between the United States and Russia. Personnel from the NASA Lewis Research Center, General Electric Aircraft Engines, Pratt & Whitney, the Tupolev Design Bureau, and EBP Aircraft LTD worked together as a team to overcome the many technical and cultural challenges. The objective was to obtain large scale inlet data that could be used in the development of a supersonic inlet system for a future High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT). The-first experiment studied the impact of typical inlet structures that have trailing edges in close proximity to the inlet/engine interface plane on the flow characteristics at that plane. The inlet structure simulated the subsonic diffuser of a supersonic inlet using a bifurcated splitter design. The centerbody maximum diameter was designed to permit choking and slightly supercritical operation. The second experiment measured the reflective characteristics of the engine face to incoming perturbations of pressure amplitude. The basic test rig from the first experiment was used with a longer spacer equipped with fast actuated doors. All the objectives set forth at the beginning of the project were met.
The propulsion system comparative evaluation study was conducted to define a rapid, approximate method for evaluating the effects of propulsion system changes for an advanced supersonic cruise airplane, and to verify the approximate method by comparing its mission performance results with those from a more detailed analysis. A table look up computer program was developed to determine nacelle drag increments for a range of parametric nacelle shapes and sizes. Aircraft sensitivities to propulsion parameters were defined. Nacelle shapes, installed weights, and installed performance was determined for four study engines selected from the NASA supersonic cruise aircraft research (SCAR) engine studies program. Both rapid evaluation method (using sensitivities) and traditional preliminary design methods were then used to assess the four engines. The method was found to compare well with the more detailed analyses.