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Flight Test Techniques Used to Evaluate Performance Benefits During Formation FlightThe Autonomous Formation Flight research project has been implemented at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center to demonstrate the benefits of formation flight and develop advanced technologies to facilitate exploiting these benefits. Two F/A-18 aircraft have been modified to precisely control and monitor relative position, and to determine performance of the trailing airplane. Flight test maneuvers and analysis techniques have been developed to determine the performance advantages, including drag and fuel flow reductions and improvements in range factor. By flying the trailing airplane through a matrix of lateral, longitudinal, and vertical offset positions, a detailed map of the performance benefits has been obtained at two flight conditions. Significant performance benefits have been obtained during this flight test phase. Drag reductions of more than 20 percent and fuel flow reductions of more than 18 percent have been measured at flight conditions of Mach 0.56 and an altitude of 25,000 ft. The results show favorable agreement with published theory and generic predictions. An F/A-18 long-range cruise mission at Mach 0.8 and an altitude of 40,000 ft has been simulated in the optimum formation position and has demonstrated a 14-percent fuel reduction when compared with a controlled chase airplane of similar configuration.
Document ID
20030005804
Acquisition Source
Armstrong Flight Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Ray, Ronald J. (NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA United States)
Cobleigh, Brent R. (NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA United States)
Vachon, M. Jake (NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA United States)
SaintJohn, Clinton (NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 2002
Subject Category
Aircraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.60:210730
NASA/TP-2002-210730
H-2500
Report Number: NAS 1.60:210730
Report Number: NASA/TP-2002-210730
Report Number: H-2500
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit
Location: Monterey, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: August 5, 2002
End Date: August 8, 2002
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 706-35-00-E8-28
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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