Aircraft Performance Enhancement with Active Compressor Stabilization

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Aircraft Performance Enhancement with Active Compressor Stabilization

J. G. Seymour

An engine cycle deck and a mission simulation program were mated to provide the capability to analyze the impact of localized design changes in a systems context. Specifically, the effects of compressor stall alleviation accomplished through the use of active stabilization were analyzed. Since no experimental data exists for compressor performance in the actively stabilized region of operation, actual compressor performance was bracketed by the examination of two types of compressors; one having steeply sloped speed lines in the actively stabilized region and the other having speed lines with shallow slope. Engines with actively stabilized compressor sections were installed in an advanced tactical fighter and flown through a typical high-low-high attack profile. Mission performance results for the aircraft with controlled compressors were compared to baseline values of mission radius, takeoff gross weight, aircraft operating weight and aircraft total wetted area. Efficiency, engine radius at the fan and bare engine weight were found to be the primary determinants of mission performance. Keywords: Aircraft design; Aerodynamics; Turbine engines. (KT)