F/A-18 Aircraft Performance Benefits Measured During the Autonomous Formation Flight Project

Vachon, M. Jake; Ray, Ronald J.; Walsh, Kevin R.; Ennix, Kimberly A.

doi:10.2514/6.2002-4491

Cited by 120 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The aircraft must therefore be accurately controlled to achieve a drag reduction. There is a large tolerance in the longitudinal separation [4]. Veldhuis et al…”

Section: Formation Flight At Constant Altitude and Constant Machmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study revealed that it is possible to achieve an average 8% fuel burn reduction for the trailing aircraft. More recently, NASA conducted flight tests with two F/A-18 aircraft in formation and demonstrated a maximum fuel burn reduction of 18% for the trailing aircraft [4]. In the past years, the Air Force Research laboratory has been investigating the potential benefits for C-17 aircraft flying in formation, in the Surfing Aircraft Vortices for Energy ($AVE) project.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cruise Range in Formation Flight

Voskuijl

2017

Journal of Aircraft

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“…The aircraft must therefore be accurately controlled to achieve a drag reduction. There is a large tolerance in the longitudinal separation [4]. Veldhuis et al…”

Section: Formation Flight At Constant Altitude and Constant Machmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cruise Range in Formation Flight

Voskuijl

2017

Journal of Aircraft

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“…This method of data acquisition was initially used, because it was effective during the AFF project. 2,3,6 Postflight processing of the GPS data yielded the relative position at each grid point, and postflight processing of the video data yielded the positions of the target points on the hose and drogue system. This technique, called static mapping, required considerable flight time and high pilot workload.…”

Section: Effects Of the Receiver Airplanementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ARS envelope expansion had four objectives: (1) verify the hose and drogue extension and retraction test conditions, (2) verify engagement airspeeds and demonstrate successful engagement, (3) identify any hose instabilities that might exist, and (4) verify and update tanker-specific procedures. The ARS uses dynamic pressure to power the hydraulics, which control the hose (Fig.…”

Section: Ars Operational Envelope Expansionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From June 2000 to December 2001, the AFF project, using relative-position station-keeping technology between two airplanes, demonstrated the possible fuel savings of formation flight. 2 Modified slightly, these GPS-based technologies and airborne telemetry systems from the AFF project were used in the AAR project to monitor relative position and velocity in real time and provide guidance to the pilots in flying the test points. 3 The AAR project used the same airplanes, simulation environment, pilots, technicians, and engineers as those used in the AFF project.…”

Section: The Aar Projectmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The NASA Dryden AAR Project: A Flight Test Approach to an Aerial Refueling System

Hansen

Murray

Campos

2004

AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit

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The integration of uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) into controlled airspace has generated a new era of autonomous technologies and challenges. Autonomous aerial refueling would enable UAVs to travel further distances and loiter for extended periods over time-critical targets. The NASA Dryden Flight Research Center recently has completed a flight research project directed at developing a dynamic hose and drogue system model to support the development of an automated aerial refueling system. A systematic dynamic model of the hose and drogue system would include the effects of various influences on the system, such as flight condition, hose and drogue type, tanker type and weight, receiver type, and tanker and receiver maneuvering. Using two NASA F/A-18 aircraft and a conventional hose and drogue aerial refueling store from the Navy, NASA has obtained flight research data that document the response of the hose and drogue system to these effects. Preliminary results, salient trends, and important lessons are presented. Nomenclature

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Aerodynamic Benefit of Aircraft Formation Flight

Gopalarathnam

2010

Encyclopedia of Aerospace Engineering

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The improved aerodynamic efficiency of formation flight is a result of induced drag reductions when multiple wings fly in close lateral proximity to one another to take advantage of the upwash fields of neighboring wings. The spacing in the streamwise direction, however, can be sufficiently large for safe flight operations. Maximum drag benefits are seen when neighboring wings in a formation have a lateral overlap of approximately 10% of the span. Theoretical studies of elliptically loaded wings in formation show that induced drag reduction ranges from 44% for two wings to 81% for 25 wings. V‐shaped formations, often seen in flocks of migrating birds, result in equal distribution of the drag benefit amongst all the individuals. Formation flight has the potential to result in significantly reduced fuel burn even when applied to existing aircraft and routes.

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F/A-18 Aircraft Performance Benefits Measured During the Autonomous Formation Flight Project

Cited by 120 publications

References 3 publications

Cruise Range in Formation Flight

Cruise Range in Formation Flight

The NASA Dryden AAR Project: A Flight Test Approach to an Aerial Refueling System

Aerodynamic Benefit of Aircraft Formation Flight

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