Integrated Computational/Experimental Approach to UCAV and Delta-Canard Configurations Regarding Stability & Control

Abstract

In the past computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was often relegated to the position of following experimental investigations of aerodynamic vehicles. As CFD has matured and developed, the place of CFD in the vehicle development process has improved substantially, however a true integration of CFD with experiments has been slow to develop. This paper outlines the integrated approach to simulating static and dynamic stability characteristics for a generic UCAV and the X-31 configuration, as being performed by NATO RTO Task Group AVT-161. The UCAV, named SACCON (Stability And Control CONfiguration), and the X-31 are the subject of an intensive computational and experimental study. The stability characteristics of the vehicles are being evaluated via a highly integrated approach, where CFD and experimental results are being used in a parallel and collaborative fashion. The purpose of the paper is to show how these investigations have been performed in a truly integrated fashion, which has noticeably improved the knowledge gained from the program.