Vortex Attenuation Obtained in the Langley Vortex Research Facility

It has been shown by a new static airflow visualization method that a drogue device properly positioned downstream of the wing tip causes vortex breakdown. This same result has been obtained by mounting a jet engine simulator at the wing tip and directing the high-energy jet blast downstream into the vortex. These configurations, among others, are now under intensive investigation in the new Langley Vortex Research Facility. In this facility, a balance mounted vortex generating model is propelled along the 1800-ft track while a second model trailed at 160 ft (scale distance of 1 mile) measures the far-field rolling moment induced by the vortex of the generating model.