As an aid in assessing the aerodynamic effects of battle damage that might be sustained by military airplanes or missiles, several wind tunnel investigations were performed at the Langley Research Center in which damage was simulated with models by the removal of all or parts of the wing and tails. Results of the investigations indicate that the loss of a major part of the vertical tail will probably result in the loss of an airplane in any speed range. The loss of major parts of the horizontal tail generally results in catastrophic instability in the subsonic range but, at low supersonic speeds, and for some planform configurations at subsonic speeds, may allow stable flight to the extent that the airplane might return to friendly territory before the pilot must eject. The results further indicate that major damage to the wing, up to the point of the complete removal of one wing panel, and major damage to the horizontal tail may be sustained without necessarily causing the loss of the airplane or pilot.


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    Title :

    Wind-tunnel studies of the effects of stimulated damage on the aerodynamic characteristics of airplanes and missiles


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1982-12-01


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English


    Keywords :