Steady and unsteady pressure distributions on an F/A-18 wing at alpha = 30 deg

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to provide a better understanding of the structure of the flowfield on the wing upper surface of an F/A-18 at high angles of attack. Time-averaged and rms pressure distributions were determined for different angles of attack. Spectral analyses of the pressures at different locations on the wing were carried out. Broadband space-time correlation of the pressure transducer signals was performed and the convection pattern of the pressure field was compared to the direction of the skin friction lines obtained from flow visualization studies using oil dots deposited on the wing surface.