Invention:
The invention is a method to improve the design of tailless aircraft, such as the blended wing body design. The improvement consists of using high speed jets to create a supersonic jet curtain to provide flight directional controls. The jets are installed in the wings and are able to control the pitch, yaw, and roll of a tailless aircraft.
Background:
A tailless aircraft is a type of aircraft that does not have any horizontal aerodynamic surface other than its main wing. This type of aircraft may still have a fuselage, a vertical tail fin, and/or a vertical rudder. The aerodynamic control and stabilization functions in both pitch and roll are incorporated into the main wing. As aircraft designs advanced with higher cruise speeds and swept-back wings or tailless configurations, Active Flow Control (AFC) shifted its focus to stability and control. Tailless aircraft lacked the necessary leverage for controlling rotational axes, posing challenges, particularly in stealthy blended-wing-body designs without vertical stabilizers and deflectable control surfaces.
Applications:
- Aircraft parameter control
- Tailless wing aircrafts
- Blended wing aircraft
Advantages:
- Can be used in stealth aircraft applications and to most aircraft
- Can provide pitch, yaw, and roll controls
