Project Title:

Innovative Shear Layer Control Methods for Large-Scale Airborne Telescopes

08.19-5094
Innovative Shear Layer Control Methods for Large-Scale Airborne Telescopes
Rose Engineering & Research Inc.
PO Box 5146
Incline Village
NV
89450
William C.
Rose
(702-831-5094)
ARC

Abstract:

The overall goal of this project is to determine the effectiveness of the cavity
resonance suppression characteristics of the forward fairing and ramp combination
on the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO). In addition, the improvement in optical
"seeing" characteristics of the flow field over the open cavity will be measured.
While the effort is to be conducted during full-scale flight tests on the KAO, it
is to be done in a timely manner such that experience learned in the Phase I effort
will be available for carry-over into a Phase II effort which will impact the design
of the cavity resonance suppression system on the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared
Astronomy (SOFIA). 
During Phase I, the design of a novel open cavity anti-resonance technique will be
performed using an innovative shear layer control fairing in conjunction with an
already-designed, contoured aft ramp system of the KAO. Detailed design and fabrication
of the aircraft modifications will be carried out by the government. When the aircraft
modifications are installed, the contractor will conduct a full-scale flight experiment.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  The applications would be on airborne installations
for surveillance and astronomical observations.