Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 July 2016
A series of experiments has been performed in an open-jet wind tunnel on a generic jet-lift STOVL aircraft in transition out of ground effect. In order to obtain information about the forces acting on the aircraft, static pressure measurements were made on the wing and intake lips. The model tested was equipped with a single vectored lift-jet and ‘powered’ intakes. Tests were conducted at a variety of nozzle pressure ratios and effective velocity ratios.
The experiments conclude that a mutual interference exists between the jet and intake flows which generates non-linearly-additive loads on the airframe. This questions the validity of testing jets and intakes separately on a STOVL aircraft of this type.