Aerodynamic Characterization of HEXAFLY Scramjet Propelled Hypersonic Vehicle

Abstract

This paper deals with the design trade-off activities undertaken to provide a trim-able, a statically and dynamically stable vehicle configuration able to perform a nominal experimental scramjet-propelled flight. The flight control activities and their impacts on vehicle layout and global aerodynamic performance are also addressed. In particular, different competing aeroshapes have been investigated to assess the best one camplyant with project requirements. In this framework, trade-off results in terms of: setup and/or analysis of aero-propulsive databases; design loops for the aileron (shape, span, length); design loops for the vertical tail (shape, size, toe-angle); analysis of aerodynamic performances; analysis of longitudinal trimming conditions; sensitivity to centre of gravity position of static longitudinal stability and trimming conditions; static stability analysis (for longitudinal and lateral-directional flight) in clean and flapped configuration, static margins (pitch, roll, yaw); dynamic stability analysis with a focus on roll-yaw coupling (linearized model analysis and Dutch-Roll period evaluation); characterization of hinge-moments; and preliminary selection of flight control equipment are provided and described in detail in the paper.