Analysis of Lateral Maneuver‐Induced Lift Loss of Navy Fighter/Attack Aircraft During Approach to Carrier

Abstract

AbstractThe purpose of this analysis was to provide guidance to designers of future tactical Navy aircraft on one aspect of carrier suitability that has contributed to the operational success of the F‐14 and F/A‐18 in carrier operations. Specifically, the ability of both of these aircraft to perform aggressive lateral maneuvers to capture desired glide path, without excessive altitude loss, has contributed to the favorable carrier suitability characteristics of each aircraft. The intent of this analysis was to quantify lift and altitude loss for the F‐14 and F/A‐18 due to lateral maneuvers in the lineup correction task, and determined the causes and components of the lift loss. A secondary intent was to determine whether the amount of lift loss due to lateral maneuvers was a good indicator of an aircraft's ability to execute precise flight path control with minimum pilot workload. Twenty‐six offline simulations of F‐14B and F/A‐18C aircraft, conducted at Manned Flight Simulator at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Patuxent River, MD, provided the raw data for the analysis. Results and conclusions on the causes and components of lift loss and subsequent altitude loss associated with the 26 simulations were drawn, and where applicable, comparisons between F‐14 and F/A‐18 were made.