Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T05:50:36.870Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Induced-drag reduction of wing–wings and wings–ground configurations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

L. Marino*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanics and Aeronautics, University of Rome, Italy

Abstract

The problem of induced drag reduction during formation flight is revisited by means of a simple aerodynamic model based on lifting line theory. The optimum configuration for minimum induced drag is analysed both in and out of the ground effect and the influence of the main geometrical and aerodynamic parameters is considered. The results are discussed and compared with existing numerical and experimental data.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2004 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Lissaman, P.B.S.and Shollenberger, C.A., Formation Flight of Birds, Science, 1970, 168, pp 10031005.Google Scholar
2. Hainsworth, F. R. Precision and Dynamics of Positioning by Canada Geese Flying in Formation. J Experimental Biology, 1987, 128, pp 445462.Google Scholar
3. Hainsworth, F.R. Induced drag savings from ground effect and formation flight in brown pelicans., J Experimental Biology, 1988, 135, pp 431444.Google Scholar
4. Hummel, D. Aerodynamic aspects of formation flight in birds, J Theoretical Biology, 1983, 104, (3), pp 321347.Google Scholar
5. Kroo, I. Drag due to lift: concepts for prediction and reduction, Annu Rev Fluid Mech, 2001, 33, pp 587617.Google Scholar
6. Iglesias, S., Mason, W.H. Optimum spanloads in formation flight, AIAA-2002–0258, 40th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting & Exhibit, 14–17 January 2002 Reno, NV.Google Scholar
7. Hoerner, S.F. Fluid-Dynamic Drag, Published by the author, 1958.Google Scholar
8. Bloy, A.W. and Trochalidis, V. The aerodynamics interference between tanker and receiver aircraft during air-to-air refueling, Aeronaut J, 94, (937), 1990, pp 165171.Google Scholar
9. Campbell, G.S. Finite-step method for the calculation of span loadings of unusual plan forms., NACA RM L50L13, 1951.Google Scholar
10. Blackwell, J.A. A finite-step method for the calculation of theoretical load distributions for arbitrary lifting-surface arrangement at subsonic speed., NASA TN D-5335, 1969.Google Scholar
11. Anderson, J.D. Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, 2nd Ed, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1991.Google Scholar
12. Katz, J. and Plotkin, A. Low Speed Aerodynamics, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1991.Google Scholar
13. Rasmussen, M.L. and Smith, D.E. Lifting-line theory for arbitrary shaped wings, J Aircr, 1999, 36, (2), pp 340348.Google Scholar
14. Weissinger, J. The lift distribution of swept back wings, NACA TM 1120, 1947.Google Scholar
15. Powell, M.J.D. Numerical Methods for Constrained Optimization,Gill, P.E. & Murray, W. (Eds), Academic Press, 1974.Google Scholar
16. Munk, M.M. The minimum induced drag of airfoils, NACA Rept 121, 1921.Google Scholar
17. Polhamus, E.C. Prediction of vortex-lift characteristics by a leading-edge suction analog, J Aircr, 1971, 8, (4), pp 193199.Google Scholar
18. Barlett, G.E. and Vidal., R.J. Experimental investigation of influence of edge shape on aerodynamic characteristics of low aspect ratio wings at low speeds, J Aero Sciences, 1955, 22, (8), pp 517533.Google Scholar
19. Ray, R.J., Cobleigh, B.R., Vachon, M.J. and John, C.S. Flight test techniques used to evaluated performance benefits during formation flight. NASA/TP-2002–210730, August 2002.Google Scholar
20. Rozhdestvensky, K.V. Aerodynamics of a Lifting System in Extreme Ground Effect, Springer, 2000.Google Scholar
21. Besyadovskiy, A.R., Kornev, N.V. and Treshkov, V.K. Numerical method of calculation of aerodynamic characteristics of ekaranoplan, Proc 1st International Conference on Ekranoplans, Marine Technical University, 3–5 May 1993, Saint-Petersburg, pp 4865.Google Scholar
22. Laurenzo, R. A Long wait for big wigs, Aerospace America, June 2003, pp 3640.Google Scholar
23. Zerinah, J. and Zhang, X. Aerodynamics of a single element wing in ground effect., J Aircr, 2000, 37, (6), pp 10581064.Google Scholar