Lessons learned from the F/A-18E/F high AOA flight test development program

摘要

The United States Navy's newest tactical aircraft,the F/A-18E/F strike fighter,is currently undergoing a three year Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) flight test program at Patuxent River,MD.The F/A-18E/F was designed to have high angle-of-attack (AOA) maneuvering capability superior to that of the F/A-18C,to be very departure resistant,and to be very resistant to the falling leaf out-of-control mode.The combination of excellent high AOA maneuvering and strong departure resistance,and spin testing using an airplane specifically equipped for high-risk flight test.This evaluation includes testing in both clean and stores loadings,with lateral weight asymmetries,and with simulated failures.Testing in the clean aircraft loading,including upright spins,inverted spins,falling leafs,and aggravated input departures,has been ocmpleted.Hish AOA testing in stores loadings is currently underway.This paper presnets the test methodology and build-up approach used,as well as test results and data analysis from the high AOA and spin program.Emphasis is placed on the flight test methods used to identify deficiencies and the lessons learned during the flight test program.