REPORT
MDCA5702
SUMMARY
Exhaust
jet
induced forces
and
moments imposed upon V/STOL aircraft operating
in
ground proximity
may
seriously degrade vertical lift performance
and
aircraftcontrol capability. Empirical scale model investigations have shown
the
inducedaerodynamics
to be
highly sensitive
to
aircraft geometry
and the
propulsion systemarrangement. This report describes induced lift investigations
of a
subsonic, threefan, lift/cruise, V/STOL aircraft configuration conducted with both large
and
small
scale models.
The
aircraft
is a
multimission
design incorporating
a
nose mounted lift
fan and two
lift/cruise units located over
the
wing.Follow-on tests
of an
existing NASA powered model
(70
percent
scale)
were con-
ducted
at the
NASA Ames Static Test Facility
to
establish ground effect performance.
Concurrently,
model tests
of the
same aircraft configuration
at 4.1
percent scalewere carried
out at
McDonnell
Aircraft Company. Results
of the
large
and
small scale
tests
are
presented
for the
baseline aircraft
and for
several variations
of the
lowersurface geometry.Configuration effects were assessed
for
lift improvement devices, lift/cruise
nozzle
rails,
nozzle
perimeter plates,
and
alternate nose
fan
exit hubs. Tests were
conducted
at
four model heights (H/D
=
0.95, 1.53, 3.06
and
6.45, where
D is the
average
nozzle
exit diameter equal
to
0.997
m.)
Significant
test
results include:
o
Based
on the
small
scale model tests, static induced lift
for
three
fan
oper-ation
is
estimated
to be
negative three percent
at
landing gear height(H/D =1.2)
and
varies little above
H/D
=1.5.
o The
large
and
small
scale model induced lift trends show agreement with
respect
to
variations
of
model height
and
model lower surface geometry.
o In
general,
the
large scale data exhibit greater lift loss than
the
smallscale data
at all
heights tested.
The
difference between
the
large
and
small
scale
model results
is not
interpreted
as
only
the
effect
of
model scale
and
model differences,
but
also
a
consequence
of
uncertainty
in the
large scale
model
lift measurements.
o
Lift improvement devices provide positive lift increments
for H/D
values
.below
1.5.
o
Rails
located between
the
lift/cruise
nozzles
are
effective
in
generatingpositive lift increments
at H/D =
0.95.
o An
increase
in
lift
fan
thrust
in
close ground proximity
is a
result
of fan
exit
hub
base pressurization.
MCDOMMELL
AUtCttAFTT COAW4MW
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