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Marcum, D. C., Jr.

Publications and source records attributed to Marcum, D. C., Jr..

Wall-temperature effects on the aerodynamics of a hydrogen-fueled transport concept in Mach 8 blowdown and shock tunnels

Results are presented from two separate tests on the same blended wing-body hydrogen fueled transport model at a Mach number of about 8 and a range of Reynolds numbers (based on theoretical body length) of 0.597 x 10 to the 6th power to about 156.22 x 10 to the 6th power. Tests were made in conventional hypersonic blowdown tunnel and a hypersonic shock tunnel at angles of attack of -2 deg to about 8 deg, with an extensive study made at a constant angle of attack of 3 deg. The model boundary-layer flow varied from laminar at the lower Reynolds numbers to predominantly turbulent at the higher Reynolds numbers. Model wall temperatures and stream static temperatures varied widely between the two tests, particularly at the lower Reynolds numbers. These temperature differences resulted in marked variations of the axial-force coefficients between the two tests, due in part to the effects of induced pressure and viscous interaction variations. The normal-force coefficient was essentially independent of Reynolds number. Analysis of results utilized current theoretical computer programs and basic boundary-layer theory.

Penland, J. A.↗

Hypersonic airbreathing missile concepts under study at NASA Langley Research Center

The design and performance of several tactical and strategic hypersonic airbreathing missile concepts under study at the NASA Langley Research Center are discussed from an evolutionary perspective. A mid- and chin inlet missile design, constrained to the Navy's vertical box launcher, was investigated; a performance comparison is presented that is favorable to the mid-inlet approach. Parasol wing, confined flow field, and spatula-like cruise missile configurations were examined with strategic applications in mind. The preliminary results are encouraging with respect to aerodynamic and volumetric efficiency and choice of engine integration schemes.

Hunt, J. L.↗

Aerodynamic and inlet flow characteristics of several hypersonic airbreathing missile concepts

Four conceptual hypersonic missile configurations were examined experimentally and theoretically. Two of the concepts employed twin module bottom-mounted engines and two were designed for upper surface inlets or engines with the intent of reducing the vehicle observables. The tests were conducted at Mach 6 and Reynolds numbers of 6 to 7.5 x 10 to the 6th per foot. Flow field surveys in the vicinity of the engine inlet were made on all configurations and force and moment tests were conducted on three of the vehicles. Stability and control characteristics of the bottom-mounted engine configurations which incorporated slender, low wings were dominated by strong vortices that promoted severe pitchup tendencies. The shock layer and flow quality in the vicinity of the bottom-mounted engine inlets were dependent on nose shape. The spatula-like upper surface engine concept demonstrated good performance and had uniform flow entering the engine inlet, while the upper surface inlet concept with a highly swept forebody incurred large gradients due to interactions with leading edge shocks.

Dillon, J. L.↗

Hypersonic Airbreathing Missile

A hypersonic airbreathing missile using dual mode scramjet engines for propulsion is described. The fuselage is constructed of a material with a high heat sink capacity and is covered with a thermal protective shield and lined with an internal insulating blanket. The engine airframe integration uses the flat lower portion of the lower fuselage to precompress the air entering the scramjet engines. The precompression of air entering the scramjet inlets increases as the angles of attack. This feature results in a highly maneuverable missile which can accelerate as it banks into a turn.

Hunt, J. L.↗

Aerodynamic characteristics of a hypersonic research airplane concept having a 70 degree swept double delta wing at Mach numbers from 1.50 to 2.86

An experimental investigation of the static longitudinal, lateral, and directional stability characteristics of a hypersonic research airplane concept having a 70 deg swept double-delta wing was conducted in the Langley unitary plan wind tunnel. The configuration variables included wing planform, tip fins, center fin, and scramjet engine modules. The investigation was conducted at Mach numbers from 1.50 to 2.86 and at a constant Reynolds number, based on fuselage length, of 3,330,000. Tests were conducted through an angle-of-attack range from about -4 deg to 24 deg with angles of sideslip of 0 deg and 3 deg and at elevon deflections of 0, -10, and -20 deg. The complete configuration was trimmable up to angles of attack of about 22 deg with the exception of regions at low angles of attack where positive elevon deflections should provide trim capability. The angle-of-attack range for which static longitudinal stability also exists was reduced at the higher Mach numbers due to the tendency of the complete configuration to pitch up at the higher angles of attack. The complete configuration was statically stable directionally up to trimmed angles of attack of at least 20 deg for all Mach numbers M with the exception of a region near 4 deg at M = 2.86 and exhibited positive effective dihedral at all positive trimmed angles of attack.

Penland, J. A.↗

A parametric study of effect of forebody shape on flow angularity at Mach 8

Flow angularity and static pressure measurements have been made on the lower surface of nine forebody models that simulate the bottom forward surface of a hypersonic aircraft. Measurements were made in an area of the forebody that represents the location of an inlet of a scramjet engine. A parametric variation of the forebody surface investigated the effect of: (1) spanwise curvature; (2) longitudinal curvature; and (3) planform shape on both flow angularity and static pressure distribution. Results of each of the three parametric variations of geometry were compared to those for the same flat delta forebody. Spanwise curvature results showed that a concave shape and the flat delta had the lowest flow angularity and lowest rate of increase in flow angularity with angle of attack. Longitudinal curvature results showed a convex surface to give the better flow at the higher angles of attack. The better of the two planform shapes tested was a convex elliptical shape. Limited flow field calculations were made at angles of attack using a three dimensional, method-of-characteristics program. In general, at all angles of attack there was agreement between data and theory.

Johnson, C. B.↗