The F-15B propulsion flight test fixture - A new flight facility for propulsion research

The design and development of the F-15B PropulsionFlight Test Fixture (PFTF), a new facility for propulsionight research, is described. Mounted underneath anF-15B fuselage, the PFTF provides volume forexperiment systems and attachment points forpropulsion devices. A unique feature of the PFTF is theincorporation of a six-degree-of-freedom force balance.Three-axis forces and moments can be measured inight for experiments mounted to the force balance. TheNASA F-15B airplane is described, including itsperformance and capabilities as a research test bedaircraft. The detailed description of the PFTF includesthe geometry, internal layout and volume, force-balanceoperation, available instrumentation, and allowableexperiment size and weight. The aerodynamic, stabilityand control, and structural designs of the PFTF arediscussed, including results from aerodynamiccomputational uid dynamic calculations and structuralanalyses. Details of current and future propulsion ightexperiments are discussed. Information about theintegration of propulsion ight experiments is providedfor the potential PFTF user.