F/A-18 Performance Benefits Measured During the Autonomous Formation Flight Project
نویسندگان
چکیده
The Autonomous Formation Flight (AFF) project at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (Edwards, California) investigated performance benefits resulting from formation flight, such as reduced aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption. To obtain data on performance benefits, a trailing F/A-18 airplane flew within the wingtip-shed vortex of a leading F/A-18 airplane. The pilot of the trail airplane used advanced station-keeping technology to aid in positioning the trail airplane at precise locations behind the lead airplane. The specially instrumented trail airplane was able to obtain accurate fuel flow measurements and to calculate engine thrust and vehicle drag. A maneuver technique developed for this test provided a direct comparison of performance values while flying in and out of the vortex. Based on performance within the vortex as a function of changes in vertical, lateral, and longitudinal positioning, these tests explored design-drivers for autonomous station-keeping control systems. Observations showed significant performance improvements over a large range of trail positions tested. Calculations revealed maximum drag reductions of over 20 percent, and demonstrated maximum reductions in fuel flow of just over 18 percent. NOMENCLATURE Acronyms AFF Autonomous Formation Flight (project) AP area pressure thrust calculation technique ATC automatic throttle control BL baseline maneuver DPS digital performance simulation (computer model) FF formation flight, within influence of the vortex HUD heads-up display IFT in-flight thrust (computer model) INS inertial navigation system PLA power level angles WT mass flow temperature
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