Implementation of a Cruise-efficient, ESTOL-capable, Transport Aircraft (CEETA)

摘要

Circulation control (CC) devices have shown promise for meeting the dual objectives of enabling ESTOL capabilities while retaining efficient cruise performance-objectives that have traditionally been mutually opposed. However, a significant amount of previous research on circulation control systems has focused primarily on the achievable aerodynamic benefits which, while important, do not fully characterize the suitability of these systems for commercial applications. In this paper, combinations of three pneumatic circulation control technologies (including circulation controlled wings, over the wing pneumatic lift, and circulation controlled wingtips) were integrated into seven Combined Circulation Control (C3) configurations and analyzed from a complete aircraft systems perspective. This involved investigating the impacts of realistic C3 implementations on aircraft weight, propulsion system performance, takeoff, cruise, and landing performance, environmental impact, cost, and reliability. This resulted in the calculation of thirteen metrics which were then combined using an aggregate figure of merit. Different configurations were then compared using a Boeing 737-300 as a baseline.