Wind Tunnel Design Studies and Technical Evaluation of Advanced Cargo Aircraft Concepts

In support of aerodynamic studies relating to the design and performance prediction of the National Transonic Facility, the following main tasks were accomplished: (1) estimation of aerodynamic losses of the tunnel circuits, (2) refinement of the high-speed diffuser loss prediction method utilizing experimental data generated for the purpose; (3) model studies of flow in the second-turn and measurements of the fan inlet distortion and overall pressure loss; (4) development of a shortened fan nacelle configuration of improved aerodynamic performance; and (5) evolution through model studies of an efficient rapid-diffuser system as the key to a circuit-modification proposal to reduce volume and minimize liquid-nitrogen consumption, at the same time saving on the shell cost.