Supersonic Configurations at Low Speeds (SCALOS): Wind Tunnel Correction

What is it about?

The unique geometric features of the Supersonic Configurations at Low Speeds (SCALOS) models that were tested for their aerodynamic characteristics at the University of Washington’s (UW) Kirsten Wind Tunnel (KWT) required a re-evaluation of the "standard" corrections for model support system tare and interference (T&I) effects that have been developed and used by the KWT for years. Those standard corrections were developed for generic medium to high aspect ratio subsonic type configurations. The SCALOS configurations are slender, low aspect ratio, and they have crank-delta wings, canards, and various alternative tail arrangements. The paper describes the T&I tests that were carried out and presents comparisons of newly established test-based T&I corrections for the different configurations tested and the standard KWT corrections. Lessons regarding the effects of configuration shape on T&I corrections are discussed.

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Photo by Hermeus on Unsplash

Photo by Hermeus on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The current supersonic aircraft designs are more slender than the supersonic configurations designed, developed, and studied earlier. And while significant work has been dedicated for quite some time to the supersonic phases of commercial supersonic flight of the emerging quiet configurations, not enough has been done to study their low speed flight characteristics and to create, for designers, reference information and guidelines that would contribute to configuration design regarding the trade-offs between supersonic and low-speed design drivers. There are few readily available public examples of the low-speed characteristics of a number of key configuration features currently proposed for quiet/efficient supersonic airliners and business jets. A major goal of the NASA Supersonic Configurations at Low Speeds (SCALOS) project is to generate data, build experience, and provide insights regarding the performance, handling qualities, and S&C low-speed behavior of variants of the emerging quiet supersonic configurations and of commercial supersonic configurations in general. Specifically, the standard corrections were developed for generic medium to high aspect ratio subsonic type configurations. The SCALOS configurations are slender, low aspect ratio, and they have crank-delta wings, canards, and various alternative tail arrangements.