Three-dimensional RANS calculations and comparisons with experimental data are presented for subsonic and transonic flow past a non-axisymmetric (rectangular) nozzle/afterbody typical of those found in fast-jet aircraft. The full details of the geometry have been modelled, and the flow domain includes the internal nozzle flow and the jet exhaust plume. The calculations relate to two free-stream Mach numbers of 0-6 and 0-94 and have been performed during the course of a collaborative research programme involving a number of UK universities and industrial organisations. The close interaction between partners contributed greatly to the elimination of computational inconsistencies and to rational decisions on common grids and boundary conditions, based on a range of preliminary computations. The turbulence models used in the study include linear and non-linear eddy-viscosity models. For the lower Mach number case, the flow remains attached and all of the turbulence models yield satisfactory pressure predictions. However, for the higher Mach number, the flow over the afterbody is massively separated, and the effect of turbulence model performance is pronounced. It is observed that non-linear eddy-viscosity modelling provides improved shock capturing and demonstrates significant turbulence anisotropy. Among the linear eddy-viscosity models, the SST model predicts the best surface pressure distributions. The standard k -ε model gives reasonable results, but returns a shock location which is too far downstream and displays a delayed recovery. The flow field inside the jet nozzle is not influenced by turbulence modelling, highlighting the essentially inviscid nature of the flow in this region. However, the resolution of internal shock cells for identical grids is found to be dependent on the solution algorithm -specifically, whether it solves for pressure or density as a main dependent variable. Density-based time-marching schemes are found to return a better resolution of shock reflection. The paper also highlights the urgent need for more detailed experimental data in this type of flow.

In recent years, various strategies for the concurrent operation of fixed-and rotary-wing aircraft have been proposed as a means of increasing airport capacity. Some of these strategies will increase the likelihood of encounters with the wakes of aircraft operating nearby. Several studies now exist where numerical simulations have been used to assess the impact of encounters with the wakes of large transport aircraft on the safety of helicopter operations under such conditions. This paper contrasts the predictions of several commonly-used numerical simulation techniques when each is used to model the dynamics of a helicopter rotor during the same idealised wake encounter. In most previous studies the mutually-induced distortion of the wakes of the rotor and the interacting aircraft has been neglected, yielding the so-called ‘frozen vortex’ assumption. This assumption is shown to be valid only when the helicopter encounters the aircraft wake at high forward speed. At the low forward speeds most relevant to near-airfield operations, however, injudicious use of the frozen vortex assumption may lead to significant errors in predicting the severity of a helicopter’s response to a wake encounter.

Modern high-speed aircraft, especially military, are very often equipped with single or compound delta wings. When such aircraft operate at high angles-of-attack, the major portion of the lift is sustained by streamwise vortices generated at the leading edges of the wing. This vortex-dominated flow field can breakdown, leading not only to loss of lift but also to adverse interactions with other airframe components such as the fin or horizontal tail. The wind tunnel and water studies described herein attempt to clarify the fluid mechanics of interaction between the strake and wing vortices of a generic 76°/40° double-delta wing leading to vortex breakdown. Some studies of passive control using fences at the apex and kink region are also described. Various diagnostic methods-laser sheet flow visualisation, fluorescent dyes, and pressure sensitive paints have been used.

Most Individual Blade Control (IBC) approaches have attempted to suppress the rotor vibration by actively altering the varying aerodynamic loads on the blade using techniques such as trailing-edge servoflaps or imbedded piezoelectric fibres to twist the blade. Unfortunately, successful implementation of these approaches has been hindered by electromechanical limitations of piezoelectric actuators. The Smart Spring is an unique approach that is designed to suppress the rotor vibration by actively altering the structural stiffness of the blade out of phase with the time varying aerodynamic forces. The Smart Spring system is able to adaptively alter the stiffness properties of the blade while requiring only small deformations of the actuator, which overcomes the major problems inherent in the former approaches. The theoretical characterisation of the Smart Spring system as a class of active Tunable Vibration Absorbers (TVA) is presented in the paper. A real-time adaptive control system was developed for a Smart Spring to suppress vibration. Initial aerodynamic wind tunnel test results using the proof-of-concept model of the device in a fixed blade indicate that the Smart Spring can evolve into a powerful approach for IBC.

Experiments were carried out on jets issuing from circular nozzles with grooved exits and the results compared with those of the plain nozzle. The plain nozzle had an exit diameter of 10mm. Because of the introduction of semi-circular grooves at the exit, the effective or equivalent diameter of the grooved nozzles was 10·44mm. The groove lengths were varied as 3, 5 and 8mm. The nozzles were operated at fully expanded sonic and underexpanded exit conditions. The corresponding fully expanded Mach numbers were 1·0 and 1·41. The shock cell structure of the underexpanded jets from grooved nozzles appeared to be weaker than that of the plain nozzle, as indicated by lesser amplitudes of the cyclic variation of the Pitot pressure. The iso-Mach contours indicate that the jet spread along the grooved plane is significantly higher than that along the ungrooved plane. Off-centre peaks were observed in the mean pressure profile of underexpanded jets from grooved nozzles. They were probably due to the streamwise vortices shed from the grooves.

Aircraft handling qualities in autorotation are critical in determining the level of safety of rotorcraft. For helicopters suffering from an engine failure, transcending from powered to autorotative flight occurs rapidly and requires immediate and accurate pilot reaction. Although it is important for the handling qualities in this flight state to be predicted correctly, obvious difficulties will exist in using flight tests as a means of validation when autorotation constitutes an abnormal mode of operation. In the research work presented in this paper an alternative approach is applied, of configuring a generic rotorcraft model as a gyroplane, a type of vehicle for which its main rotor is constantly in autorotation. Flight tests are used for the validation purposes both for steady state and dynamic response cases. Results are produced to complement those already existing for a dissimilar gyroplane type thus increasing the level of confidence obtained. It is concluded that important handling qualities indicators such as the steady state trends are correctly predicted although limitations are imposed due to rotor speed discrepancy.