Computational Investigation of Control Effectors on a Generic High-Speed Vehicle

Author(s):

Justin Paul, James DeSpirito, and Jubaraj Sahu

Abstract:

In this investigation, several configurations of a generic high-speed test vehicle were simulated and analyzed with control effectors in the shape of rectangular prisms. The performance of the control effectors was then determined in the context of an equivalent tail-flap control to estimate the control authority the control effectors offered. The comparison indicates that the control effectors generate appreciable control authority. Additionally, the effectiveness and performance of the control effectors were assessed at different axial locations (three configurations) and through a sweep of angle of attack (two configurations). Three of the six configurations investigated were found as potentially viable for pitch and roll maneuvers.