High-Speed Aircraft Stability and Control Metrics
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Related work note: This work is an extended version of an abstract published as: TTakahashi, T.T., Griffin, J.A. and Grandhi, R.V., A Review of High-Speed Aircraft Stability and Control Challenges. In AIAA AVIATION 2023 Forum 2023, San Diego, CA, USA, 12–16 June 2023. 10.2514/6.2023-3231
Abstract
This review paper identifies key stability and control screening parameters needed to design low-risk, general-purpose high-speed aircraft. These derive from MIL-STD-8785C, MIL-STD-1797, and older AGARD reports, and are suitable for assessing conceptual high-speed vehicles. We demonstrate their applicability using published ground test, computation, and flight test data from the Bell X-2, North American X-15, Martin X-24A, Northrop HL-10, Lockheed Blackbird (YF-12/SR-71), and North American XB-70 as well as the Rockwell Space Shuttle Orbiter. The relative success of the X-15 and Blackbird and the performance limitations of the others indicate the need to scrutinize lateral-directional stability at the preliminary design phase. Our work reveals the need for strong bare-airframe static directional stability to obtain favorable flying qualities.
