A Preliminary Design of a Remotely-Controlled Glider for a Long-Line Operation

Abstract

Low-level, covert observation of a small area of ground may be obtained by an unmanned glider towed from a large aircraft and suspended in Long-Line-Loiter. This glider is equipped with a Visually-Coupled Control System operated through a Low-Light-Level Television camera. The flider has a gross weight of 442.5 lb of which 282.3 lb is payload. The vehicle features a high wing and a constant-chord airfoil with 30 ft span. Overall vehicle length is 17.7 ft. Wings-level stall speed is 35.8 knots. The glider exhibits static longitudinal, lateral, and directional stability. Attaching the tow cable to the top of the fuselage above the vehicle center of gravity allows the glider to be flown in high-speed trail or suspended in Long-Line-Loiter.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1973
Accession Number
AD0767879

Entities

People

  • Elbridge L. Snapp Iii

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Biomedical
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerodynamic Characteristics
  • Aerodynamic Configurations
  • Aeronautics
  • Air Force
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Center Of Gravity
  • Control Systems
  • Free Flight
  • Gliders
  • Low Drag Airfoils
  • Low Light Levels
  • Sea Level
  • Skin Friction
  • Surface Roughness
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy