Aircraft LEX Vortex Control and Removable Stealth Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircrafts operating at high incidence angles face challenges with lateral-directional instability and radar visibility, leading to difficulties in control and maneuverability, and existing stealth technologies compromise aerodynamic performance.
Innovation Solution
The design features a twin-engine aircraft with a tandem cockpit, optimized nose shape, Leading Edge Extension (LEX) vortex control, uncoupled tail planes, and removable radar-reducing equipment, which enhances aerodynamic performance and stability while minimizing radar signature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If stealth structure and absorbing paints are used to make the aircraft invisible to radar systems, then radar visibility is reduced, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stealth equipment is designed as removable and interchangeable components that can be attached to or removed from the aircraft fuselage, allowing the aircraft to switch between stealth mode and optimal aerodynamic mode. This segmentation enables independent optimization of stealth performance and aerodynamic performance without permanent compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft configuration is made dynamic through the ability to change external equipment and components during different operational phases. The fuselage can be equipped with stealth equipment when radar evasion is required, and stripped of such equipment when aerodynamic performance is prioritized, creating a flexible, adaptive system.
2Ease of operation
If the aircraft operates at high incidence angles, then maneuverability is improved, but lateral-directional stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An automatic control system with sensors and actuators is implemented to continuously monitor the aircraft's flight state and automatically adjust control surfaces to maintain lateral-directional stability during high-incidence maneuvers. This feedback mechanism compensates for the inherent instability at high angles of attack, allowing the pilot to maintain aggressive maneuvers without losing control.
3Measurement precision
If sophisticated automatic control apparatus is used to maintain stability at high incidence, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to automatically compensate for aerodynamic instabilities without requiring complex external intervention. The system uses the aircraft's own aerodynamic characteristics and control surfaces to self-correct stability issues, reducing the need for overly complex external control mechanisms while maintaining precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The configuration improves lateral-directional stability, reduces buffet effects, and optimizes spin behavior, maintaining aerodynamic characteristics while making the aircraft less visible to radar systems, thus enhancing control and safety during high-incidence flights.
Implementation Method 1
control device of the vortices of LEX (LEX=Leading Edge Extension)...symmetrize the explosion of vortices generated by the LEX
Implementation Method 2
at least one device for dissipating incident radar waves...make substantially the aircraft invisible to the radar systems
Data Source
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AI summary
An aircraft (10) with improved aerodynamic performances, adapted to keep the directional stability and a very good aerodynamic behaviour at medium-high incidence. Said aircraft (10) comprises a fuselage (12) to which shaped wings (18, 20) are associated, and a nose (52). Said aircraft (10) also comprises a vortex control device (72) of the extension of the leading edge of the wing a the root (LERX), shaped in order to symmetrize the bursting of the vortices generated by such LERX with a medium-high incidence. Said aircraft comprises removable equipment with at least one dissipation device of incident radar waves, on at least one hot portion of the aircraft.