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Improving AC-130H Gunship Performance Through Drag Reduction - A Wind Tunnel and Flight Test Partnership
Technical Paper
1999-01-5506
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
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English
Abstract
Approximately 120 hours of wind tunnel testing were accomplished to determine the drag contributions of various external protuberances on the AC-130H Gunship and to recommend modifications to achieve optimal drag reduction potential. Also, the operational impact of the recommended configuration was quantified using a performance modeling code. The overall objective of this effort was to establish a solid foundation via experimental and computational ground efforts to support flight test of drag reduction modifications to an aircraft.
Thirteen basic AC-130H protuberances were evaluated to determine their incremental drag. A recommended reduced-drag configuration was developed which provided a drag reduction potential of 58.2 counts.
An Air Force Research Laboratory performance modeling code (CASP) predicted that the H-model gunship could save 1,630 lbs of fuel, increase its radius 57.4 nmi, or increase its loiter time by 30.0 minutes in a typical combat mission with the recommended modifications. Also, the two-engine absolute ceiling of the AC-130H was predicted to increase approximately 1,500 feet.
This research has successfully demonstrated the potential for significant drag reduction and operational improvements in the AC-130H. Verification through flight test is the next logical step before successful implementation.
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Citation
Yechout, T. and Dowty, J., "Improving AC-130H Gunship Performance Through Drag Reduction - A Wind Tunnel and Flight Test Partnership," SAE Technical Paper 1999-01-5506, 1999, https://doi.org/10.4271/1999-01-5506.Also In
References
- Munson, Bruce R. et al Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics John Wiley & Sons, Inc: New York 1994
- Yechout, Thomas R. Dr. Christopher Hammond. Drag Reduction Approaches Developed for the AC-130U Gunship USAFA DFAN Report 98-2 July 1998
- Woodward, L.R. Feasibility Study for the C-130 Afterbody Strakes for Drag Reduction and Fuel Conservation. Lockheed-Georgia Company Report LG79ER0062 26 April 1979
- Steck, H.D. C-130 Afterbody Strakes, Developmental Test and Evaluation Air Force Flight Test Center TR- 83-51 November 1983
- Dowty, Jonathan C. Operational Impact Predictions of USAFA Recommended Drag Reduction Modifications for the AC-130U Gunship. USAFA DFAN Report 98-4 October 1998
- Correspondence with 18th Flight Test Squadron, Air Force Special Operations Command, (AFSOC/ 18FLTS) Hurlburt Field, FL August 1998 February 1999
- Rockwell International Proprietary Briefing to AC-130 System Program Office October 1992