Investigation of Airframe - Inlet Interaction for Supersonic Tactical Fighter Aircraft
Abstract
The tactical class of weapon system is required to perform effectively over a wide range of flight Mach number and altitude, providing large thrust margin and high maneuvering capability throughout the normal operating envelope. To achieve this combination of performance and maneuverability requires a sophisticated propulsion system closely integrated with the airframe. Recent operational experience indicates that the vehicle induced flow environment can influence the performance of these closely integrated propulsion systems, ranging from minor performance degradation to engine flame out. The objective of this program was to improve the basic understanding of the effects of airframe-inlet interaction. This was accomplished by a parametric experimental program conducted to establish the relationship between representative vehicle geometries, the attendant flow field characteristics, and the installed inlet performance. Additionally, these data were compared with analytically derived flow fields to evaluate the capability of simplified analytical methods to predict the vehicle flow fields. The program accomplished its major goals in that a large bank of relevant experimental data was generated, a basic understanding of the flow phenomena was obtained, and promising analytical techniques were evolved.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0512542
Entities
People
- Constant Prokop
- Robert J. Sanator