Investigation of Aerodynamic Alterations for Improving the KC-135 Boom Performance During Aerial Refueling

Abstract

This study investigated the eligibility of the KC-135 air refueling boom for improved capabilities in the areas of control and performance. By using a thick airfoil cross-section for the boom tube, rather than the current circular cross-section, the ability to increase the lift characteristics was verified Prior compiled test data was used for comparison against analytical computer solutions. The possibility and effects of control frequency oscillations were also examined due to the unstable nature of the flow at test conditions. Additionally, the effect of other cross-section shapes, such as the blunt fairing, on the size of the flyable envelope for the trailing aircraft was investigated by using FORTRAN coding. Results show that the KC-135 air refueling boom can be modified for better lift and performance envelope capabilities.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA306782

Entities

People

  • Debra A. Nawrocki

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerodynamic Characteristics
  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Simulations
  • Computers
  • Control Sticks
  • Flow Visualization
  • Frequency
  • Geometry
  • Mach Number
  • Navier Stokes Equations
  • Numbers
  • Refueling
  • Refueling In Flight
  • Shape
  • Tanker Aircraft

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation