Design Issues Associated with Full-Scale Application of Active Control of Vortex Flows

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Design Issues Associated with Full-Scale Application of Active Control of Vortex Flows

D. J. Moorhouse

Control technology is becoming one of the most pervasive aspects of vehicle design and operation. The engine, subsystems, weapons, etc., etc. all have their individual control systems in addition to the flight control system (FCS) of the aircraft overall. In addition, the basic FCS itself is expanding continually with aspects such as thrust vectoring. Research has indicated promising results from the control of the flow fields over an aircraft, and the vortical flow fields in particular. First, the manipulation of forebody vortices to create a lateral force has indicated the potential for significant yaw control at elevated angles of attack (AoA). Benefits can also come from preventing uncommanded asymmetric vortex behavior, which is known to create forces and moments sufficient to cause aircraft to depart from controlled flight. The consideration of vortex flow control includes aspects of both the aerodynamic aircraft model and also use as a control effector. Both of these effects, plus high-angle-of-attack aerodynamics in general, are known to be very non-linear. In addition, experience has shown that the full-scale characteristics are frequently not as predicted.