3232. Vendetta: Supercruising Future Strike Aircraft On CD-R

Publication TypeConference Paper
AuthorsCalifornia Polytechnic State University, S.T.
Year of Publication2002
Paper Number3232
Conference61st Annual Conference, Virginia Beach, Virginia, May 18-22
Conference LocationVirginia Beach, Virginia
Paper Category10. WEIGHT ENGINEERING - AIRCRAFT DESIGN
Pages117
Date Published5/18/02
Price$46.80
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Key Words10. WEIGHT ENGINEERING - AIRCRAFT DESIGN
AbstractCal Poly proudly presents the Vendetta, a supersonic bomber designed to meet the criterion specified by the AIAA 2001/2002 Undergraduate Team Aircraft Design Request for Proposal. The mission to be flown by the Vendetta consists of a 1,750 nautical mile radius, all of which must be flown at Mach 1.6 at or above 50,000 feet. The aircraft must have low frontal radar cross-section and also be capable of dropping a 9,000-pound weapons payload. The Vendetta is being designed to replace the stealthy F-117 Nighthawk and B-2 Spirit as well as the supersonic F-15 Eagle and B-1 Lancer. The Vendetta?s current takeoff gross weight is 125,000 pounds and its empty weight is 57,000 pounds. Furthermore, an analysis from a low observables standpoint has been made possible by publicly accessible RCS code. The component weight buildup of the Vendetta has been developed using both class I and class II methodologies as well as by assigning mass properties to an actual solid model of the aircraft. Several challenges concerning the balance of the aircraft have been introduced by the immediate and abrupt shift in the aerodynamic center due to the acceleration from subsonic to supersonic Mach numbers. Solutions to this problem have been developed and will be presented in the report.