Vortex Dynamics Study and Flow Visualization on Aircraft Model with Different Canard Configurations

Sutrisno Sutrisno,Budi Basuki,Tri Agung Rohmat,Soeadgihardo Siswantoro,Zainuri Anwar,Setyawan Bekti Wibowo,Petricius Ginting,Febryanto Nugroho

doi:10.3390/fluids6040144

Abstract

Canard configuration on fighter planes is essential for regulating flow and the occurrence of vortex interactions on the main wing, one of which is to delay stall. Stall delays are useful when the aircraft is making maneuvering or short-landing. This study observed the effect of canard configuration on various fighter aircraft models. Fighter models represented the different canard configurations, such as Sukhoi SU-30 MKI, Chengdu J-10, and Eurofighter Typhoon. Water tunnels and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have made it easier to visualize the flow and aerodynamic forces. The results showed that at a low angle of attack (AoA) < 30°, the Chengdu J-10 and Eurofighter models had the highest lift force coefficient (Cl). When at high AoA, Cl’s highest value occurred on the Sukhoi SU-30 model with a value of 1.45 at AoA 50°. Meanwhile, the highest AoA that still had a high Cl value occurred on the Sukhoi SU-30 and Chengdu J-10 aircraft models, namely at AoA 55° with Cl values more than 1.1. The canard position in the upper of the wing would increase the Cl at low AoA, while the parallel canard position could delay the stall.

Highlights

Fighter planes have been continuously modified to improve flying performance, especially for direct battles, dogfights or short landings
The computation results for both the SU-30 and J-10 models showed a good similarity to the water tunnel measurement results, especially at low angle of attack (AoA) until reaching the Clmax value
At high AoA, there is a slight difference between the Cl value of the experimental results, which is lower than the computational results

Summary

Introduction

Fighter planes have been continuously modified to improve flying performance, especially for direct battles, dogfights or short landings. When there is a dogfight, the fighter’s maneuver and agility movement often determine the battle’s outcome. Maneuvering is an aircraft’s movement in forming a high angle of attack (AoA). For landing requirements on short runways, such as runways on aircraft carriers and urban areas, the use of high AoA is necessary. The aircraft’s ability to delay a stall will provide more capability for takeoff and landing of short runways, maneuverability, and increased agility. It is necessary to engineer flow along the fuselage and wings of the aircraft to overcome this condition. This engineering is carried out to keep the flow streamed even in high attack angle conditions

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion