Drag and stability characteristics of cruciform parachutes and means of reducing the drag on a towed target were studied. The test cruciform parachutes and banner materials were flown in different configurations in the 7 ft x 5 ft wind tunnel at speeds of 5 to 40 m/sec. The forces acting on the parachute and banners during flight were recorded, and visual observations of the flying characteristics noted. Maximum drag is provided by the zero porosity parachutes which are also the most unstable and have the highest spin rates. The most stable parachute, which also exhibits the lowest rate of spin is the high porosity parachute. For towed targets, netting material gives substantially less drag than solid material. Altering the shape of the banner has no great effect and the rectangular shaped banner has a lower C sub D than the pennant shaped banner. Slashes in the material detune ripples passing along the banner, thereby reducing drag.
Investigation of Cruciform Parachutes and Towed Targets
1987
50 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Wind Tunnel Study of Cruciform Parachutes Folded in Various Configurations
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999
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