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Mark MASON
Supervisor Dr. W.J. CROWTHER
Phone (0161) 787 8749
e-mail m_mason007@hotmail.com
Title of Project Fluidic Thrust Vectoring for Low Observable Air Vehicles
Research Web Page URL http://www.oocities.org/m_mason007/home.html
Personal Web Page URL http://www.oocities.org/m_mason007/home.html
Publications Mason M.S. and Crowther W.J., Fluidic Thrust Vectoring for Low Observable Aircraft, CEAS Aerospace Aerodynamics Conference, Session 13 No. 39, 10-12 June, Cambridge 2002
Subsonic fluidic thrust vectoring systems utilise a secondary air jet in addition to the Coanda effect to create a reduction in the static pressure variation on a curved reaction surface leading to primary exhaust jet vector control. The resultant force acting on the reaction surface can be exploited to augment aerodynamic control moments throughout the conventional flight envelope of an aircraft. Fluidic thrust vectoring systems have the advantages of being lightweight, simple, of fixed geometry and can be implemented with minimal aircraft observability penalty. As more emphasis is being placed on the ability of low observable unmanned aircraft to patrol enemy airspace for surveillance/reconnaissance missions, such systems can potentially replace current highly visible aerodynamic control surfaces.

The research work began with a review of current fluidic thrust vector control techniques. The coflow thrust vector technique, favoured during the research work, has been investigated further and the idealised coflow fluidic thrust vector control response curve for quiescent conditions has been established. Based on this curve, performance metrics have been formulated which support the final design of a vectoring nozzle leading to the design of a generic low observable technology demonstrator vehicle. Windtunnel testing of this vehicle with conventional aerodynamic surfaces has established targets for the vehicle with installed fluidic thrust vectoring capabilities and the research work aims to show that fluidic thrust vector control is a feasible alternative to conventional aircraft control methods.