Wake-Vortex Induced Wind with Turbulence in AerialRefueling - Part A: Flight Data Analysis

摘要

This paper presents the analysis of the data obtained in an automated aerial refueling test flight conducted with a KC-135 as the tanker and a Learjet 25 as the surrogate receiver UAV. The purpose of the analysis is to identify the wind induced by the tanker wake and its effect on the receiver aircraft. From the available flight data, a direct computation of the winds experienced by the tanker and receiver is carried out. The mean variation of the receiver wind is compared with the tanker wind when the receiver is at the observation and contact positions. This results in the identification of the wake-induced wind. Further, a spectrum analysis is conducted to characterize the turbulence and to identify the pilot-effects. This paper is the first of a series of two papers. In the second paper (Part B), the flight data analyzed herein are used to validate a modeling and simulation technique.