Flow control for a high energy laser turret using trapped vortices stabilized by suction
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Authors
Burd, James Edward
Subjects
Laser Turret
Optical Distortion
Flow Control
Trapped Vortices
Fairing
Nosepiece
Optical Distortion
Flow Control
Trapped Vortices
Fairing
Nosepiece
Advisors
Fuhs, A.E.
Date of Issue
1981-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
The Department of Defense is concerned with the viability
of an airborne high energy laser system. The laser is housed
in a blunt turret atop a NKC-135 aircraft. Turbulence generated
by flow separation around the turret causes optical
distortion of the laser beam. Control of flow separation is
needed to improve laser beam performance especially for aftaimed
turrets
.
One technique proposed for flow control is a fairing design
which will stabilize shed vortices by suction. A two
dimensional computer model was used to design a fairing compatible
with present test equipment.
Experimental research of this fairing design was conducted
in wind tunnel tests. Although flow mapping demonstrated
improved flow performance through the use of suction,
total quiescent flow was never achieved. A more adequate
three dimensional model is needed to design a fairing that
will stabilize trapped vortices.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Aeronautics
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.