AC-130H Drag Definition Flight Test Program

Abstract

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and the AC-13 OH System Program Office (SPO) at Warner Robbins Air Logistics Center (WRALC) have initiated a flight test program to evaluate a modified configuration of the AC-130H. The aircraft configuration for this flight test program will incorporate the following modifications: two sets of Rosemount pitot-static probes will be added (1 set each underneath the pilot's and copilot's windows on the fuselage of the aircraft), and the following external protuberances will be removed from the fuselage of the aircraft: the ASD-5 (Black Crow), the 20mm Spoilers, and the Spotlight Spoiler. The purpose of this flight test program is to determine the suitability of the new pitot-static system, to quantify the effects of the external modifications in terms of aircraft drag reduction and performance improvement, and to update the flight manual accordingly. This program is a combined effort by the United States Air Force Academy Department of Aeronautics (USAFA/DFAN), Detachment 1 of the 46th Operations Group at Hurlburt Field, the AC130H SPO, Support Systems Associates, Inc. (SSAI), and the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) at Edwards AFB. This paper focuses on the drag definition effort and identifies low cost flight test methods along with a flight test plan that has the potential to meet the desired outcomes.