Key Words pressure-sensitive paints, optical measurement techniques, photogrammetry, aerodynamic loads, wind tunnel testing s Abstract An optical technique is described that is often used nowadays to measure surface pressures on wind tunnel models and flight vehicles. The technique uses luminescent coatings, which are painted on the model surface, excited by light of appropriate wavelength, and imaged with digital cameras. The intensity of the emitted light is inversely proportional to the surface pressure. Hence, the surface pressures can be measured efficiently and affordably with a high spatial resolution. The theory and chemistry of how such coatings work and the parameters that affect them are presented. The required hardware and software are described, with emphasis on the different measurement systems and procedures. The various error sources are discussed, and correction schemes that can be used to minimize them are presented. Sample results, covering a wide range of conditions and applications, are presented and discussed.

This article describes the development and use of Background Oriented Schlieren on a full-scale supersonic jet in flight. A series of flight tests was performed in October, 2014 and February 2015 using the flora of the desert floor in the Supersonic Flight Corridor on the Edwards Air Force Base as a background. Flight planning was designed based on the camera resolution, the mean size and color of the predominant plants, and the navigation and coordination of two aircraft. Software used to process the image data was improved with additional utilities. The planning proved to be effective and the vast majority of the passes of the target aircraft were successfully recorded. Results were obtained that are the most detailed schlieren imagery of an aircraft in flight to date.

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