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High-Speed Aircraft Stability and Control Metrics

2024; Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute; Volume: 12; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3390/aerospace12010012

2226-4310

Timothy T. Takahashi, Jack A. Griffin, Ramana V. Grandhi,

Aerospace and Aviation Technology

This review paper identifies key stability and control screening parameters needed to design low-risk, general-purpose high-speed aircraft. These derive from MIL-STD-8785C, MIL-STD-1797, and older AGARD reports, and are suitable for assessing conceptual high-speed vehicles. We demonstrate their applicability using published ground test, computation, and flight test data from the Bell X-2, North American X-15, Martin X-24A, Northrop HL-10, Lockheed Blackbird (YF-12/SR-71), and North American XB-70 as well as the Rockwell Space Shuttle Orbiter. The relative success of the X-15 and Blackbird and the performance limitations of the others indicate the need to scrutinize lateral-directional stability at the preliminary design phase. Our work reveals the need for strong bare-airframe static directional stability to obtain favorable flying qualities.