The primary objective of the quasi-tailless flight demonstration is to demonstrate the feasibility of using thrust vectoring for directional control of an unstable aircraft. By using this low-cost, low-risk approach it is possible to get information about required thrust vector control power and deflection rates from an inflight experiment as well as insight in low-power thrust vectoring issues. The quasi-tailless flight demonstration series with the X-31 began in March 1994. The demonstration flight condition was Mach 1.2 at 37,500 feet. A series of basic flying quality maneuvers, doublets, bank to bank rolls, and wind-up-turns have been performed with a simulated 100% vertical tail reduction. Flight test and supporting simulation demonstrated that the quasi-tailless approach is effective in representing the reduced stability of tailless configurations. The flights also demonstrated that thrust vectoring could be effectively used to stabilize a directionally unstable configuration and provide control power for maneuver coordination.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    X-31 Quasi-Tailless Flight Demonstration


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1994


    Size :

    14 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    X-31 quasi-tailless flight demonstration

    Huber, Peter / Schellenger, Harvey G. | NTRS | 1994


    X-31 Quasi-Tailless Flight Experiment

    Exner, R. / Society of Flight Test Engineers; European Chapter | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1995


    X-31A Quasi-Tailless Flight Test Results

    J. T. Bosworth / P. C. Stoliker | NTIS | 1996


    The X-31A quasi-tailless flight test results

    Bosworth, John T. / Stoliker, P. C. | NTRS | 1996