Some Special Navy V/STOL Testing Problems (As Related to Full Scale Simulation)

From Summary: This paper presents some unique U.S. Navy testing problems which in the author's opinion could. be met by the proposed. new large scale V/STOL facility. These problems are included. to show how such a facility could enhance operational capability beyond the more classical and well dociimented uses of such a tunnel, Two subjects are used as examples: (1) the Ship-Aircraft Interface and (2) High Advance Ratio Rotorcraft. The former would use the large area slow speed section of the proposed tunnel while the latter would use the smaller high sliced section. It is concluded that a very large tunnel could be used to study: (1) the critical control power design points of V/STOL landing aboard ship in a turbulent wake; (2) the operating procedures for new class of high speed. ships with speeds approaching 100 knots; (3) the complex integration of an aeroelastic rotor and bulky control system into the helicopter fuselage to markedly alter the high interference drag of this region; (4) the special dynamic, aeroelastic, loads and stability and. control problems of high advance ratio helicopters. In particular it is suggested. that limited body degrees of freedom should be permitted to actually "fly" the entire aircraft in the tunnel prior to flight test; (5) a tunnel speed capability of 300-400 knots is highly desirable for high speed rotorcraft.