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Calculated Drag of an Aerial Refueling Assembly Through Airplane Performance AnalysisThe aerodynamic drag of an aerial refueling assembly was calculated during the Automated Aerial Refueling project at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. An F/A-18A airplane was specially instrumented to obtain accurate fuel flow measurements and to determine engine thrust. A standard Navy air refueling store with a retractable refueling hose and paradrogue was mounted to the centerline pylon of the F/A-18A airplane. As the paradrogue assembly was deployed and stowed, changes in the calculated thrust of the airplane occurred and were equated to changes in vehicle drag. These drag changes were attributable to the drag of the paradrogue assembly. The drag of the paradrogue assembly was determined to range from 200 to 450 lbf at airspeeds from 170 to 250 KIAS. Analysis of the drag data resulted in a single drag coefficient of 0.0056 for the paradrogue assembly that adequately matched the calculated drag for all flight conditions. The drag relief provided to the tanker airplane when a receiver airplane engaged the paradrogue is also documented from 35 to 270 lbf at the various flight conditions tested. The results support the development of accurate aerodynamic models to be used in refueling simulations and control laws for fully autonomous refueling.
Document ID
20040013408
Acquisition Source
Armstrong Flight Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Vachon, Michael Jacob (NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA, United States)
Ray, Ronald J. (NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Subject Category
Aerodynamics
Report/Patent Number
AIAA Paper 2004-0381
H-2549
Meeting Information
Meeting: 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit
Location: Reno, NV
Country: United States
Start Date: January 5, 2004
End Date: January 8, 2004
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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