Flow Control for a High Energy Laser Turret Using Trapped Vortices Stabilized by Suction.

摘要

The Department of Defense is concerned with the viability of an airborne high energy laser system. The laser is housed in a blunt turret atop a NKC-135 aircraft. Turbulence generated by flow separation around the turret causes optical distortion of the laser beam. Control of flow separation is needed to improve laser beam performance especially for aft-aimed turrets. One technique proposed for flow control is a fairing design which will stabilize shed vortices by suction. A two dimensional computer model was used to design a fairing compatible with present test equipment. Experimental research of this fairing design was conducted in wind tunnel tests. Although flow mapping demonstrated improved flow performance through the use of suction, total quiescent flow was never achieved. A more adequate three dimensional model is needed to design a fairing that will stabilize trapped vortices.