Predicted Performance of a Thrust-Enhanced SR-71 Aircraft with an External Payload. Conference Presentation ASME 95-GT-116, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

Conners, Timothy R. (1995) Predicted Performance of a Thrust-Enhanced SR-71 Aircraft with an External Payload. Conference Presentation ASME 95-GT-116, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

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Abstract

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center has completed a preliminary performance analysis of the SR-71 aircraft for use as a launch platform for high-speed research vehicles and for carrying captive experimental packages to high altitude and Mach number conditions. Externally mounted research platforms can significantly increase drag, limiting test time and, in extreme cases, prohibiting penetration through the high-drag, transonic flight regime. To provide supplemental SR-71 acceleration, methods have been developed that could increase the thrust of the J58 turbojet engines. These methods include temperature and speed increases and augmentor nitrous oxide injection. The thrust-enhanced engines would allow the SR-71 aircraft to carry higher drag research platforms than it could without enhancement. This paper presents predicted SR-71 performance with and without enhanced engines. A modified climb-dive technique is shown to reduce fuel consumption when flying through the transonic flight regime with a large external payload. Estimates are included of the maximum platform drag profiles with which the aircraft could still complete a high-speed research mission. In this case, enhancement was found to increase the SR-71 payload drag capability by 25 percent. The thrust enhancement techniques and performance prediction methodology are described.

EPrint Type:	Other
Keywords:	Aircraft performance, J58 turbojet engine, Optimal flight profile, SR-71 aircraft, Thrust enhancement, Transonic drag rise
Subjects:	(01 - 09) Aeronautics: (05) Aircraft Design, Testing And Performance Aircraft/Project: SR-71 Blackbird
ID Code:	1865
Deposited On:	26 March 2008
Additional Information:	Presented as 95-GT-116 at the ASME International Gas Turbine and Aeroengine Congress and Exposition, Houston, Texas, June 5-8, 1995. Also published as NASA TM-104330, June 1997. Conners, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.