Innovative Control Effectors (ICE)
Abstract
This report describes a joint U.S. Air Force. U.S. Navy sponsored investigation of innovative aerodynamic control concepts for fighter aircraft without vertical tails. Land-based and carrier-based configurations were analyzed to determine the flying qualities, performance, and aircraft-level integration impacts of the innovative controls. Six control concepts were evaluated for their potential to provide sufficient lateral-directional control power to a highly maneuverable tailless fighter. They were: (1) split ailerons; (2) movable chine strakes; (3) seamless leading and trailing edge flaps; (4) pneumatic forebody devices; (5) wing leading edge blowing; (6) wing mounted yaw vanes. After a preliminary screening, only the first two and a new concept, variable dihedral horizontal tails were chosen for further investigation. Detailed evaluations of the three selected controllers against baseline fighter configurations with vertical tails included low-speed, high-speed, and high AOA flying qualities performance, structural weight and subsystem integration impacts, signature performance, and carrier suitability impacts. The variable dihedral horizontal tail was evaluated as the best all-round control effector of those investigated. The split aileron and movable chine strake were ranked 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADB212361
Entities
People
- E. L. Roetman
- J. R. Dawdy
- S. A. Northcraft
Organizations
- Boeing Defense, Space & Security