Lift Fan Propulsion Concepts Study.
Abstract
Contractor's conceptual designs of multimission lift fan VSTOL aircraft based on two different fan designs, one with a tip-turbine drive and one with a mechanical drive, were compared to determine the more suitable propulsion system for a Navy ASW aircraft with an initial operational capability in 1985. The comparison was based on consideration of propulsion system performance, propulsion-induced effects, propulsion system effects on flying qualities and control system design, aircraft mission performance, propulsion system cost, aircraft reliability and maintainability, and propulsion system vulnerability. The mechanically-driven fans were found to be more suitable, primarily because of differences in mission performance and cost. However, it was determined that aircraft could be designed to meet Navy mission requirements using either fan design. An aircraft design based on the mechanically-driven fan concept was optimized to an ASW mission for comparison with the contractor's multimission aircraft. It was found that the contractor's takeoff gross weight estimates accurately represented an aircraft optimized for the ASW mission. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 25, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA023087
Entities
People
- Donald P. Gleiter
Organizations
- Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster