STATIC STABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSED B-58 AIRCRAFT ESCAPE CAPSULE AT TRANSONIC MACH NUMBERS

Abstract

Results are presented from a wind tunnel investigation to ascertain the lateral and longitudinal stability and axial-force characteristics of the crew and pilot escape capsules proposed for the B-58 aircraft. The effect of varying several parachute parameters on parachute drag and capsule aerodynamics is also presented. Furthermore, a comparison of the capsule aerodynamic coefficients obtained with cold air simulation of the rocket exhausts in contrast to rocket motor firings is discussed. The tests were conducted at Mach numbers 0.60, 0.93, and 1.50 at Reynolds numbers ranging from 0.40 to 2.20 million. The test article attitude was varied from -10 to 90 deg in the pitch plane and from -5 to 25 deg in the yaw plane. In general, both capsule configurations were statically unstable in the pitch and yaw planes. Furthermore, when the rocket jet was simulated, the parachute which was attached to the capsule dipped violently in and out of the jet wake.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1961
Accession Number
AD0256964

Entities

People

  • D. J. Pierce
  • L. E. Rittenhouse
  • W. E. Summers

Organizations

  • Arnold Engineering Development Complex

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerodynamic Characteristics
  • Aerodynamics
  • Aircrafts
  • Drogue Parachutes
  • Dynamic Pressure
  • Escape Capsules
  • Jettisonable Cockpits
  • Mach Number
  • Measurement
  • Parachutes
  • Reynolds Number
  • Rocket Engines
  • Rockets
  • Simulations
  • Static Pressure
  • Test Facilities
  • Wind Tunnels

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Rocket Propulsion.