Experimental Investigation on Effect of Horizontal Tail Deflectionon Aerodynamic Characteristics of Aircraft under Vectoring Jet

Thrust vectoring is one of the advanced technologies in the design of 4th generation fighters to provide high maneuverability and agility. The effect of horizontal tail deflection on aerodynamic characteristics of aircraft with or without vectoring jet was investigated experimentally in a FL-1wind tunnel, as a function of testing parameters such as ,δ_j,α,Ma. Attention was focused on the influence of vectoring jet and the interaction between the vectoring jet and the mainflows around the forebody and afterbody of a modern fighter. It was found that (1) the deflection of the horizontal-tail doesn't affect the static stability of the aircraft with or without vectoring jet except the change of m_z0 and α₀. (2) Whereas the flow patterns over the wing can be changed greatly, improving the vortices flows and aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft via the deflection of the horizontal-tail. (3) In addition, vectoring jet can influence the vortex burst flow at high attack angle greatly on the afterbody or extending to the foreboy with 10% increment of the lift.