Computational Investigation of the Effect of Various Flight Conditions on Plume Infrared Signature

The plume infrared signature effects at various flight conditions of aircraft were investigated for the purpose of reducing infrared signature level. The nozzle of a virtual subsonic unmanned combat aerial vehicle was designed through a performance analysis. Nozzle and associated plume flowfields were first analyzed using a density-based CFD code and plume IR signature was then calculated on the basis of the narrow-band model. Finally, qualitative information for the plume infrared signature characteristics was obtained through the analysis of the IR signature effects at various flight conditions.