A Comparison of The Stability Characteristics of Standard Fin and Slotted Fin Mark 81 Low Drag Bombs

Abstract

This report presents the results of a study to determine if the addition of fin slots and aileron tabs improves the stability characteristics of the MARK 81 low drag bomb. Representative samples of both the standard MARK 81 low drag bomb and the slotted fin version were dropped at three separate flight conditions. Excessively large angular rates were purposely imposed in order to induce large yaw and therefore test the ability of the bombs to stabilize. The results of the study show that fin slots and aileron tabs eliminate catastrophic yaw due to roll lock-in. However, slow damping of an exaggerated initial disturbance can still result for a region of spin rates above resonance. This slow damping phenomenon can possibly be eliminated by proper selection of aileron tab angle.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1973
Accession Number
AD0912186

Entities

People

  • Peter Daniels

Organizations

  • Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerodynamic Characteristics
  • Aircrafts
  • Ballistics
  • Bombs
  • Drag
  • Frequency
  • General Purpose Bombs
  • Low Drag
  • Munitions
  • Ordnance Laboratories
  • Resonance
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Facilities
  • Trajectories
  • Trim Tabs
  • United States
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Materials Science
  • Microwave Engineering.