Hinged Strakes for Enhanced Maneuverability at High Angles of Attack

Abstract

A controllable strake concept for alleviating the adverse effects of vortex breakdown on the longitudinal and lateral aerodynamics of strake-wing configurations at high angles of attack is presented. The concept aims to control the strake load independently of angle of attack and sideslip by varying the anhedral angle of strakes hinged along the root chord. The strakes may be deflected symmetrically or nonsymmetrica lly for longitudinal or lateral control functions. This paper presents the results of an exploratory wind-tunnel investigation to evaluate the potential of the hinged-strake concept for enhanced three-axis controllability in post-stall flight.