Analytical and Experimental Investigation of Optimum Fighter Aircraft Maneuvers
Abstract
This report presents the results of a four-phase research program consisting of (1) application of the energy-maneuverability and variational steepest-descent optimization techniques to a series of maneuvers typical of a multipurpose tactical fighter aircraft, (2) flight testing of the analytically predicted optimal flight paths to obtain measured flight data, (3) correlation of these data with analytical results and (4) comparison of analytical optimum paths with nonoptimum flight paths. The results of this study indicate that for most of the maneuvers analyzed, the pilot was able to fly the optimum flight profiles with reasonable accuracy. Also, definite gains in performance can be realized through the application of optimization techniques.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- AD0923944
Entities
People
- Richard C. Nash
Organizations
- Flight Dynamics Laboratory