Engineering topics

Gilbert, W. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Gilbert, W. P..

15 records

NASA NTRS1985

Low-speed stability and control wind-tunnel investigations of effects of spanwise blowing on fighter flight characteristics at high angles of attack

The effects of spanwise blowing on two configurations representative of current fighter airplanes were investigated. The two configurations differed only in wing planform, with one incorporating a trapezoidal wing and the other a 60 delta wing. Emphasis was on determining the lateral-directional characteristics, particularly in the stall/departure angle-of-attack range; however, the effects of spanwise blowing on the longitudinal aerodynamics were also determined. The-tunnel tests included measurement of static force and forced-oscillation aerodynamic data, visualization of the airflow changes created by the spanwise blowing, and free-flight model tests. The effects of blowing rate, chordwise location of the blowing ports, asymmetric blowing, and blowing on the conventional aerodynamic control characteristics were investigated. In the angle-of-attack regions in which the spanwise blowing substantially improved the wing upper-surface flow field (i.e., provided reattachment of the flow aft of the leading-edge vortex), improvements in both static and dynamic lateral-directional stability were observed. Blowing effects on stability could be proverse or adverse depending on blowing rate, blowing port loaction, and wing planform. Free-flight model tests of the trapezoidal wing confirmed the beneficial effects of spanwise blowing measured in the static and dynamic force tests.

Satran, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Experimental investigation of forebody and wing leading-edge vortex interactions at high angles of attack

An experimental investigation was conducted to assess the vortex flow-field interactions on an advanced, twin-jet fighter aircraft configuration at high angles of attack. Flow-field surveys were conducted on a small-scale model in the Northrop 0.41 - by 0.60-meter water tunnel and, where appropriate, the qualitative observations were correlated with low-speed wind tunnel data trends obtained on a large-scale model of the advanced fighter in the NASA Langley Research Center 30- by 60-foot (9.1- by 18.3-meter) facility. Emphasis was placed on understanding the interactions of the forebody and LEX-wing vortical flows, defining the effects on rolling moment variation with sideslip, and identifying modifications to control or regulate the vortex interactions at high angles of attack. The water tunnel flow visualization results and wind tunnel data trend analysis revealed the potential for strong interactions between the forebody and LEX vortices at high angles of attack. In particular, the forebody flow development near the nose could be controlled by means of carefully-positioned radome strakes. The resultant strake-induced flow-field changes were amplified downstream by the more powerful LEX vortical motions with subsequent large effects on wing flow separation characteristics.

Erickson, G. E.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Application of high-alpha control system concepts to a variable-sweep fighter airplane

The use of control system design to enhance high-angle-of-attack flying qualities and departure/spin resistance has become an accepted and widely used approach for modern fighter aircraft. NASA and the Navy are currently conducting a joint research program to investigate the application of this technology to the F-14. The paper discusses the results of this program within the context of its contributions to advancing high-alpha control system technology. General topics covered include (1) analysis and design tools, (2) control system design approach, and (3) flight test approach and results.

Nguyen, L. T.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Effects of fuselage forebody geometry on low-speed lateral-directional characteristics of twin-tail fighter model at high angles of attack

Low-speed, static wind-tunnel tests were conducted to explore the effects of fighter fuselage forebody geometry on lateral-directional characteristics at high angles of attack and to provide data for general design procedures. Effects of eight different forebody configurations and several add-on devices (e.g., nose strakes, boundary-layer trip wires, and nose booms) were investigated. Tests showed that forebody design features such as fineness ratio, cross-sectional shape, and add-on devices can have a significant influence on both lateral-directional and longitudinal aerodynamic stability. Several of the forebodies produced both lateral-directional symmetry and strong favorable changes in lateral-directional stability. However, the same results also indicated that such forebody designs can produce significant reductions in longitudinal stability near maximum lift and can significantly change the influence of other configuration variables. The addition of devices to highly tailored forebody designs also can significantly degrade the stability improvements provided by the clean forebody.

Carr, P. C.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Simulator study of stall/post-stall characteristics of a fighter airplane with relaxed longitudinal static stability

A real-time piloted simulation was conducted to evaluate the high-angle-of-attack characteristics of a fighter configuration based on wind-tunnel testing of the F-16, with particular emphasis on the effects of various levels of relaxed longitudinal static stability. The aerodynamic data used in the simulation was conducted on the Langley differential maneuvering simulator, and the evaluation involved representative low-speed combat maneuvering. Results of the investigation show that the airplane with the basic control system was resistant to the classical yaw departure; however, it was susceptible to pitch departures induced by inertia coupling during rapid, large-amplitude rolls at low airspeed. The airplane also exhibited a deep-stall trim which could be flown into and from which it was difficult to recover. Control-system modifications were developed which greatly decreased the airplane susceptibility to the inertia-coupling departure and which provided a reliable means for recovering from the deep stall.

Nguyen, L. T.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Control considerations for CCV fighters at high angles of attack

Wind tunnel and piloted simulation studies were conducted to investigate the potential high angle of attack control problems that are introduced by the use of the CCV concept of relaxed static pitch stability (RSS) on fighter aircraft. A conventional wing/aft tail design incorporating modest levels of static instability and a close-coupled canard/wing design exhibiting very high levels of instability was investigated. Two types of high angle of attack control problems can result from the use of RSS: pitch departures caused by coupling and deep stall trim. Avoidance of these problems requires that the airplane have sufficient nose-down pitch control at high angles of attack. The effectiveness of several pitch control configurations were investigated including conventional aft-mounted stabilators, wing-mounted elevators, canard-mounted flaps, and all-moveable canards. Varying the incidence of the canards was the most effective scheme; however, very large deflections may be required on highly unstable configurations to prevent pitch departure without sacrificing roll performance and to avoid deep stall trim. For situations where the high angle of attack pitch control requirement is not met, control laws were developed to inhibit the departure and to allow deep stall recovery. However, these schemes involve limiting airplane roll capability and therefore can potentially compromise maneuverability.

Nguyen, L. T.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Similitude requirements and scaling relationships as applied to model testing

The similitude requirements for the most general test conditions are presented. These similitude requirements are considered in relation to the scaling relationships, test technique, test conditions (including supersonic flow), and test objectives. Particular emphasis is placed on satisfying the various similitude requirements for incompressible and compressible flow conditions. For free flying models tests, the test velocities for incompressible flow are scaled from Froude number similitude requirements and those for compressible flow are scaled from Mach number similitude requirements. The limitations of various test techniques are indicated, with emphasis on the free flying model.

Wolowicz, C. H.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Use of piloted simulation for studies of fighter departure/spin susceptibility

The NASA-Langley Research Center has incorporated into its stall/spin research program on military airplanes the use of piloted, fixed-base simulation to complement the existing matrix of unique research testing techniques. The piloted simulations of fighter stall/departure flight dynamics are conducted on the Langley Differential Maneuvering Simulator (DMS). The objectives of the simulation research are reviewed. The rationale underlying the simulation methods and procedures used in the evaluation of airplane characteristics is presented. The evaluation steps used to assess fighter stall/departure characteristics are discussed. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the flight dynamics phenomena dealt with. The considerable experience accumulated in the conduct of piloted stall/departure simulation indicates that simulation provides a realistic evaluation of an airplane's maneuverability at high angles of attack and an assessment of the departure and spin susceptibility of the airplane. This realism is obtained by providing the pilot a complete simulation of the airplane and control system which can be flown using a realistic cockpit and visual display in simulations of demanding air combat maneuvering tasks. The use of the piloted simulation methods and procedures described were found very effective in identifying stability and control problem areas and in developing automatic control concepts to alleviate many of these problems. A good level of correlation between simulated flight dynamics and flight test results were obtained over the many fighter configurations studied in the simulator.

Gilbert, W. P.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Use of piloted simulation for studies of fighter departure/spin susceptibility

Gilbert, W. P.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Results of recent NASA studies on spin resistance

Some of the factors which contribute to good stall/spin characteristics of a current fighter configuration indicate that the design of airframe components for inherent spin resistance is very configuration dependent and that few generalizations can be made. Secondary design features, such as fuselage forebody shape, can have significant effects on stability characteristics at high angles of attack. Recent piloted simulator studies and airplane flight tests have indicated that current automatic control systems can be tailored so as to provide a high degree of spin resistance for some configurations without restrictions to maneuverability. Such systems result in greatly increased pilot confidence and increased tactical effectiveness.

Chambers, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Simulator study of the effectiveness of an automatic control system designed to improve the high-angle-of-attack characteristics of a fighter airplane

A piloted, fixed-base simulation was conducted to study the effectiveness of some automatic control system features designed to improve the stability and control characteristics of fighter airplanes at high angles of attack. These features include an angle-of-attack limiter, a normal-acceleration limiter, an aileron-rudder interconnect, and a stability-axis yaw damper. The study was based on a current lightweight fighter prototype. The aerodynamic data used in the simulation were measured on a 0.15-scale model at low Reynolds number and low subsonic Mach number. The simulation was conducted on the Langley differential maneuvering simulator, and the evaluation involved representative combat maneuvering. Results of the investigation show the fully augmented airplane to be quite stable and maneuverable throughout the operational angle-of-attack range. The angle-of-attack/normal-acceleration limiting feature of the pitch control system is found to be a necessity to avoid angle-of-attack excursions at high angles of attack. The aileron-rudder interconnect system is shown to be very effective in making the airplane departure resistant while the stability-axis yaw damper provided improved high-angle-of-attack roll performance with a minimum of sideslip excursions.

Gilbert, W. P.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Recent research related to prediction of stall/spin characteristics of fighter aircraft

The NASA Langley Research Center is currently engaged in a stall/spin research program to provide the fundamental information and design guidelines required to predict the stall/spin characteristics of fighter aircraft. The prediction methods under study include theoretical spin prediction techniques and piloted simulation studies. The paper discusses the overall status of theoretical techniques including: (1) input data requirements, (2) math model requirements, and (3) correlation between theoretical and experimental results. The Langley Differential Maneuvering Simulator (DMS) facility has been used to evaluate the spin susceptibility of several current fighters during typical air combat maneuvers and to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of automatic departure/spin prevention concepts. The evaluation procedure is described and some of the more significant results of the studies are presented.

Nguyen, L. T.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Investigation of an automatic spin prevention system for fighter airplanes

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an automatic spin-prevention system for current fighter airplanes as a first step in determining the feasibility of such a system. The concept makes use of the components of the conventional flight-control system with the addition of control logic to monitor angle of attack, yaw rate, and normal acceleration. Analytical techniques were used to study the system concept applied to three representative fighter configurations, and model flight tests were employed to evaluate a prototype system on a representative fighter configuration. Emphasis was placed on the development of the control logic required. A discussion of possible implementations of the system concept is presented. Results of the investigation indicated that a relatively simple system (with full control authority) was effective in preventing the developed spins of the fighter configurations considered and that the system design is dependent on the stall and spin characteristics of the particular airplane.

Gilbert, W. P.↗

NASA NTRS1971

Control considerations in severe turbulence

Jet transport aircraft stability and controllability under atmospheric turbulence conditions, discussing longitudinal and lateral- directional characteristics with particular attention to unstable spiral mode

Gilbert, W. P.↗

NASA NTRS1970

Analytical study of effects of autopilot operation on motions of a subsonic jet- transport airplane in severe turbulence

Autopilot control of subsonic jet transports in severe turbulence

Gilbert, W. P.↗