A Proposal for Integration of Wind Tunnel and Engine Test Programs for the Evaluation of Airframe-Propulsion Compatibility Using Numerical Simulations1

Abstract

The current high-performance aircraft development programs, and the trends in research and development activities suggest a rapidly increasing level of aircraft subsystem integration, particularly between the airframe/inlet and the propulsion system. Traditionally these subsystems have been designed, analyzed, and tested as isolated systems. The interaction between the subsystems is modeled primarily through evaluating inlet distortion in an inlet test and simulating this distortion in engine tests via screens or similar devices. In the current paper, an overview of current techniques for inlet performance and distortion characterization and engine distortion testing is presented. A review of the current state of the art in inlet analysis is also presented along with a discussion of current engine analysis techniques, from a semi-empirical approach to high-fidelity full Navier-Stokes simulations. Finally, a proposal to coordinate the existing test techniques and analysis capabilities to provide a truly integrated inlet-engine test and evaluation capability is outlined.