Vortical Flow Patterns for High Lift for High Speed Aircraft Concepts

Enhancing detached vortical flow over leading edges and flap surfaces allow high lift configurations in critical regimes of take-off and acceleration. In the context of the FP6 Environmentally Friendly High Speed Aircraft project HISAC, future high speed aircraft concepts were studied. Specific morphed leading edges were devised that are adapted to ultra-fine wing geometries, and enhance lift. Unsteady CFD and Wind Tunnel tests for low speed were based on the FP6 EPISTLE project (European Project for the Improvement of Supersonic Transport Low Speed Efficiency). Similar situations arise for high speed fighter aircraft at low speeds, where integrated flap design is optimised for assuring high lifting vorticity over the leeward side. Again CFD and wind tunnel testing were performed producing qualitative agreement.