Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T21:07:44.336Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The aerodynamic interference between tanker and receiver aircraft during air-to-air refuelling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

A. W. Bloy  and
V. Trochalidis
A. W. Bloy
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering, University of Manchester
V. Trochalidis
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering, University of Manchester
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Wind tunnel data from a tanker wing and receiver aircraft model at varying vertical separation have been compared with theoretical results. In the aerodynamic model the tanker wing is represented by a horseshoe vortex while the aerodynamic loads on the receiver are determined by the vortex lattice method and lifting-line theory, although an approximate method is used to determine the side force on the fin. In the longitudinal case data were obtained for low, mid and high tailplane positions and, with the exception of the pitching moment results, fairly good agreement is obtained between theory and experiment. The relatively small differences are due mainly to the wind tunnel boundary interference effect which could not be quantified for the pitching moment measurements. The lateral aerodynamic interference was determined by banking the tanker wing and displacing it sideways and by yawing the receiver model. Fairly good agreement is obtained between the theory and experiment for the most significant terms which are the rolling moments due to bank and sideways displacement. The effect of the sidewash due to the tanker wake on the receiver in yaw is found to be relatively insignificant. Over the range of bank, yaw and sideways displacements tested the results are almost linear.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 94 , Issue 935 , May 1990 , pp. 165 - 171
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1990 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Bloy, A. W., Lamont, P. J., Abu-Assaf, H. A. and Ali, K. A. M. The lateral dynamic stability and control of a large receiver aircraft during air-to-air refuelling, Aeronaut J, 1986, 90, pp 237–243.Google Scholar
2. Bloy, A. W., Ali, K. A. M. and Trochalidis, V. The longitudinal dynamic stability and control of a large receiver aircraft during air-to-air refuelling, Aeronaut J, 1987, 91, pp 64–71.Google Scholar
3. Bloy, A. W., and Trochalidis, V. The performance and longitudinal stability and control of a large receiver aircraft during air-to-air refuelling, Aeronaut J, 1989, 93, pp 367–378.Google Scholar
4. Kuchemann, D. A Simple Method for Calculating the Span and Chordwise Loading on Straight and Swept Wings of any Given Aspect Ratio at Subsonic Speeds, RAE R Aero 2476. 1952. ARC R&M 2935, 1956.Google Scholar
5. Margason, R. J. and Lamar, J. E. Vortex-Lattice Fortran Program for Estimating Subsonic Aerodynamic Characteristics of Complex Platforms, NASA TN D–6142, February 1971.Google Scholar
6. Bradley, J. The handling and performance trials needed to clear an aircraft to act as a receiver during air-to-air refuelling, AGARD Conference Proceedings No. 373, Flight Test Techni ques, July 1984, Paper 9.Google Scholar
7. Chigier, N. A. and Corsiglia, V. R. Tip Vortices - Velocity Distributions, NASA-TMX–62887, 1971.Google Scholar
8. Smith, W. G. and Lazzeroni, F. A. Experimental and Theoretical Study of a Rectangular Wing in a Vortical Wake at Low Speed, NASA TND–339, October 1960.Google Scholar
9. Iverson, J. D. and Bernstein, S. Trailing vortex effects on following aircraft, J Aircraft, 1974, 11, pp 60–61.Google Scholar
10. Hoganson, E. H. A study of aerodynamic interference effects during aerial refuelling, M.S. Thesis, AD-A136895, Air Force Inst of Tech, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, Dec 1983.Google Scholar