A review is undertaken of European jet lift V/STOL, past and present, to illustrate the extent to which the powerplant has affected aircraft layout and consequently the aerodynamic design. Direct comparisons of V/STOL with contemporary conventional layouts are made. The successful Harrier's aerodynamic progress is highlighted. Promised engine performance advances are shown to offer more aerodynamic freedoms to V/STOL designs. The jet lift are based on the gas turbine began over thirty years ago, in Europe, with the first flight of the Rolls-Royce 'Flying Bedstead'. Rapid advances in jet engine technology has encouraged the conventional aircraft designer to enter the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) arena hitherto the province of the rotorcraft. In these early days, one objective appeared paramount. It was to design for a full load VTO capability. With hindsight, this was possibly the basic reason for the lack of success. Not until vectored thrust with its V/STOL capability appeared and was eventually vindicated, did jet-lift aircraft enter production.
Special Course on V/STOL Aerodynamics. Addendum
1985
24 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch