A piloted experimental study of potential enhanced task performance resulting from improved high angle-of-attack aerodynamic and flight control capability was conducted in the Air Force Research Laboratory's engineering flight simulator facility. The simulation database used was representative of the aerodynamics and inertias of the Variable-stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA)/F-16. The VISTA variable-stability control laws were not used. Three flight test pilots evaluated both baseline and three modified versions of the simulated aircraft using a variety of high angle-of-attack tasks. Aerodynamic modifications were based on wind tunnel data from a previous effort which examined various means of extending the aircraft angle-of-attack limits. These focused primarily on the lateral-directional characteristics in the twenty-nine to thirty-seven degree range. Flight control modifications came from a new approach to control of lateral-directional dynamics which used variable structure control and describing functions. This controlled the forebody vortices to achieve improved roll coordination. This paper presents the results of analyzing the entire set of experimental output data for the effects of the configuration changes on high angle-of-attack maneuverability and departure resistance. The results show that use of the modifications greatly increases departure resistance and provides significant improvement in roll maneuverability for flight up to the maximum lift angle of attack.


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    Title :

    Simulation Study of VISTA/F-16 Maneuverability Enhancement Using Forebody Vortex Control


    Contributors:
    P. D. McKeehen (author) / T. J. Cord (author)

    Publication date :

    1997


    Size :

    12 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Simulation Study of VISTA/F-16 Maneuverability Enhancement Using Forebody Vortex Control

    McKeehen, P. / Cord, T. / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1997



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    Walchli, L. A. / Moorhouse, D. J. / Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development; Flight Vehicle Integration Panel | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1997


    Forebody vortex control

    Malcolm, Gerald N. | Elsevier | 1991


    Forebody vortex control using vortex generators

    Chen, Limin / Ng, T. | AIAA | 1994