Experimental Development of an Advanced Circulation Control Wing System for Navy STOL Aircraft

Abstract : An advanced high lift system is being developed which combines a Circulation Control Wing (CCW) with Upper Surface Blowing (USB) to produce significant lift for STOL operations by Navy aircraft. The concept uses circulation control to pneumatically deflect USB engine thrust and thus augment aerodynamic wind lift produced by the outboard CCW. Two series of wind tunnel investigations have confirmed significant thrust turning to angles near 160 deg, suggesting the possibility for a simple, highly effective STOL and thrust reverser system. Two-dimensional investigations of reduced diameter CCW trailing edges suggest their application as a no-moving-parts high lift system with minimal cruise penalty. The paper presents these experimental results and summarizes the technology development progressing towards an advanced STOL aircraft.