Flowfield over a Generic Tailless Chined Forebody-Delta Wing Configuration

Abstract

The flowfield around a scaled model of a generic, tailless aircraft with a chined forebody and a simple delta wing configuration was investigated using Oil Flow Visualizations (OFV) and Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (SPIV) at a mean chord-based Reynolds number of Re = 2.3 × 105. The OFV campaign was conducted first and based on the results a subset was selected for SPIV measurements. For the OFV, the model was analyzed at angles of attack of \alpha = 20◦ and 30◦, and at yaw angles of \beta = 0◦, 5◦ and 10◦. For SPIV, the \beta = 10◦ cases were omitted as at \beta = 5 ◦ a vortex breakdown was observed at \alpha = 30◦. The model presents a complex flowfield with variations in the interactions of the forebody and wing vortices depending on the angles of attack and yaw. Increasing \alpha or \beta, weakens this interaction, resulting in a wake-like vortex, and in some cases, a vortex breakdown. The flowfield and the vortex dynamics under the various conditions are discussed in detail to provide insight towards manipulating the flowfield using flow control.