The further development of circulation control airfoils

The performance trends of circulation control airfoils are reviewed and observations are made as to where improvements in performance and expansion of the flight envelope may be feasible. A new analytically defined family of airfoils is suggested, all of which maintain the fore and aft symmetry required for stopped rotor application. It is important to recognize that any improvements in section capabilities may not be totally applicable to the present vehicle operation. It remains for the designers of the rotor system to reappraise the three dimensional operating environment in view of the different airfoil operating characteristics and for the airfoil definitions to be flexible while maintaining satisfactory levels of performance.