Novel yaw effector of a flying wing aircraft based on reverse dual synthetic jets

Abstract

For achieving the nice stealth performance and aerodynamic maneuverability of a Flying Wing Aircraft (FWA), a novel yaw effector based on Reverse Dual Synthetic Jets (RDSJ) was proposed without the movement of rudders. Effects on aerodynamic characteristics of a small-sweep FWA and control mechanism were investigated by numerical simulations. Finally, reverse dual synthetic jet actuators were integrated into a real FWA and flight tests were firstly carried out. Numerical results show that RDSJ could make drag coefficient increase and weaken lift coefficient, which generate a yawing moment and a rolling moment in the same direction, realizing control of heading attitudes, but strong coupling with the pitching moment occurs at large angles of attack. For control mechanism, RDSJ could produce two reverse synthetic jets out of phases, improve the reverse pressure gradient and hence form alternate recirculation zones or even early large-area separation, which cause the rise of pressures before exits and the dip of pressures behind exits, achieving improvement of drag and the yawing moment. The results of flight tests support that RDSJ could realize control of heading attitudes without deflections of rudders during the cruise stage and achieve the maximal yaw angular velocity of 10.12(°)/s, verifying the feasibility of this novel yaw effector.