Msg : 505 of 2989 Scn

From : Leo V. Mironoff 2:5020/293 Sun 6 Aug 95 14:38

To : All Mon 7 Aug 95 19:11

Subj : ad-1 fact sheet

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The AD-1

[Image]

An aircraft wing which can be pivoted obliquely from zero to 60 degrees

during flight was successfully demonstrated in a program conducted between

1979 and 1982 at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Canter, Edwards,

California.

The unique wing was demonstrated on a small subsonic jet-powered research

aircraft called the AD-1 (Ames Dryden -1). The aircraft was flown 79 times

during the research program which evaluated the basic pivot wing concept

and gathered information on handling qualities and aerodynamics at various

speeds and degrees of pivot.

Background

The oblique wing concept originated with Robert T. Jones, an aeronautical

engineer at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA.

Analytical and wind tunnel studies Jones initiated at Ames indicated that a

transport-size oblique wing, flying at l,000 mph, might achieve twice the

fuel economy of more conventional wings.

At high speeds, both subsonic and supersonic, the wing would be pivoted

fore and aft at up to 60 degrees to the aircraft's fuselage for better

high-speed performance. The studies said these angles would decrease

aerodynamic drag, permitting increased speed and longer range with the same

fuel expenditure.

At lower speeds, during takeoffs and landings, the wing would be

perpendicular to the fuselage like a conventional wing to provide maximum

lift and control qualities. As the aircraft gained speed, the wing would be

pivoted to increase the oblique angle, thereby reducing the drag and

decreasing fuel consumption.

The Aircraft

The AD-1 aircraft was delivered to Dryden in Feb. 1979. It was constructed

by the Ames Industrial Co., Bohemia, NY, under a $240,000 fixed-price

contract.

Piloting the aircraft on its first flight Dec. 21, 1979, was NASA research

pilot Thomas C. McMurtry, who was also the pilot on the final flight Aug.

7, 1982.

Powered by two small turbojet engines, each producing 220 lb of thrust, the

aircraft had a top speed of about 200 mph.

The AD-1 was 40 ft in length and had a wing span of 32 ft. It was

constructed of composites materials, primarily fiberglass, and had a gross

weight of about 2,000 lb.

A fixed tricycle landing gear, mounted close to the fuselage to lessen

aerodynamic drag, gave the aircraft a very "squatty" appearance on the

ground.

The wing was pivoted by an electrically driven gear mechanism located

inside the fuselage, just forward of the engines.

Flight Research

The research program to validate the oblique wing concept was very typical

of any NASA high-risk project -- advance through each test element, and

expand the operating envelope, very methodically and carefully.

The AD-1 was flown 79 times, beginning with its first flight late in 1979.

The wing was pivoted incrementally over the next 18 months until the full

60-degree angle was reached in mid 198l. The aircraft continued to be flown

for another year, obtaining data at various speeds and wing pivot angles

until the final flight in Aug. 1982.

Final flight of the AD-1 did not occur at Dryden, however, but at the

Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) annual exhibition at Oshkosh, WI,

where it was flown eight times to demonstrate its unique configuration.

The oblique wing is still considered by Jones as a viable lift concept for

large transoceanic or transcontinental transports.

--- lvm@module.vympel.msk.ru

* Origin: - The Endless Quest - (2:5020/293)