An Overview of an Experimental Demonstration Aerotow Program

Murray, James E. and Bowers, Albion H. and Lokos, William A. and Peters, Todd L. and Gera, Joseph (1998) An Overview of an Experimental Demonstration Aerotow Program. Technical Report NASA/TM-1998-206566, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

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Abstract

An overview of an experimental demonstration of aerotowing a delta-wing airplane with low-aspect ratio and relatively high wing loading is presented. Aerotowing of future space launch configurations is a new concept, and the objective of the work described herein is to demonstrate the aerotow operation using an airplane configuration similar to conceptual space launch vehicles. Background information on the use of aerotow for a space launch vehicle is presented, and the aerotow system used in this demonstration is described. The ground tests, analytical studies, and flight planning used to predict system behavior and to enhance flight safety are detailed. The instrumentation suite and flight test maneuvers flown are discussed, preliminary performance is assessed, and flight test results are compared with the preflight predictions.

EPrint Type:	NASA Technical Memorandum
Keywords:	C-141, ECLIPSE, QF-106, Tethered aircraft, Tow rope, Towed aircraft, Towed system stability, Towing aircraft
Subjects:	Aircraft/Project: F-106 (01 - 09) Aeronautics: (05) Aircraft Design, Testing And Performance
ID Code:	174
Deposited On:	08 June 2004
Additional Information:	28 pages. Presented at 30th Anniversary Symposium of the Society of Flight Test Engineers, Inc., September 15–17, 1998, Reno, Nevada. James E. Murray, Albion H. Bowers, William A. Lokos, Todd L. Peters, NASA Dryden Flight Research, Edwards, CA; Joseph Gera, Analytical Services and Materials, Inc., Edwards, California.