Vortical Flow Prediction Validation for an Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle Model

• Published in: Journal of aircraft 2011-11, Vol.48 (6), p.1948-1959
• Main Authors: Vallespin, D, Ronch, A. Da, Badcock, K. J, Boelens, O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerodynamics; Aircraft components; Angle of attack; Angle of incidence; Applied fluid mechanics; Applied sciences; Codes; Computer science; control theory; systems; Control theory. Systems; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Mathematical models; Measurement; Navier-Stokes equations; Physics; Reynolds equation; Robotics; Vehicles; Wind tunnels
• ISSN: 0021-8669; 1533-3868
• DOI: 10.2514/1.C031385

As part of the NATO Applied Vehicle Technology 161 technical group, a study of the aerodynamic behavior of the stability and control configuration wind-tunnel model is presented. Sharp and round leading-edge versions of the model are computed. A validation of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes predictions obtained using two block structured codes are made. Static cases are analyzed and compared with wind-tunnel measurements. The vortical flow features are described in detail for a range of angles of attack. The predictions are in good agreement with the experiments at low angles of attack, whereas for higher angles of incidence (α >15°), some discrepancies are seen. A dual vortex structure is present in this region for both leading-edge configurations, resulting in highly nonlinear aerodynamic behavior. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]