Aerodynamic Drag Loss Chargeability and Its Implications in the Vehicle Design Process

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of aerodynamic drag losses, relate them to aerothermodynamic losses in the aircraft as a whole, and develop methods for assessing drag chargeability. The concept of the aerodynamic ?loss deck? is introduced and applied to the analysis of an F-5E fighter. It is shown that this loss deck can be used to integrate aero losses through the vehicle mission to obtain total losses attributable to each drag mechanism. This information is then used to facilitate design trades and estimate sensitivity factors useful in the design process.