An Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Canard Position on the Aerodynamic Forces of a Fighter Type Configuration Model

An extensive experimental investigation is conducted to study the effect of canard position relative to the fuselage reference line on the aerodynamic forces of a fighter type configuration model. Aerodynamic forces at different flight conditions are measured in a subsonic wind tunnel. The wing and the canard have triquetrous shapes. Experiments are conducted at Reynolds number of 342209 and at 0 to 40 degree angles of attack. The results show that canard increases the lift and drag forces while it decreases the static stability of the model. The canard at itandrsquo;s up position increases the aerodynamic forces and decreases the static stability i.e., superior maneuver capability. Furthermore, when the forward position of the canard is considered, both lift and drag are increased; however, the overall aerodynamic efficiency and also more static stability are improved. The canard at up and forward position respect to the wing-body is an appropriate selection for the best performance at moderate to high angles of attack among the various wing-canard-body configurations.