Alternate T-38 Transparency Development

Abstract

T-38 missions at speeds above the existing crew enclosure damage threshold will result in flight safety risk to aircraft and crew. This paper summarizes the design/development of alternate T-38 transparencies having the capability of defeating the impact of a four pound bird at aircraft speeds up to 400 knots. A preliminary design and evaluation defined the guidelines and constraints governing the modifications, defined and assessed candidate transparency configurations, and conducted a birdstrike risk assessment. Edge attachment screening tests were conducted fracture mechanism, and energy absorption potential. A parametric finite element analysis examined the effects of transparency and support structure stiffness versus peak load and deflection. A full-scale flight hardware test program established the failure threshold for the existing T-38 forward windshield and forward canopy for a four pound birdstrike at six impact locations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1983
Accession Number
ADP003219

Entities

People

  • B. S. West
  • K. I. Clayton

Organizations

  • University of Dayton

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Aircrafts
  • Coatings
  • Engineering
  • Fabrication
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Flight Speeds
  • Fuselages
  • Impact Tests
  • Risk Analysis
  • Stiffness
  • Students
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Facilities
  • Vehicle Equipment

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Instructional Design and Training Evaluation.