Exploratory Study of Ground Proximity Effects on Thrust of Annular and Circular Nozzles

The proximity of the ground to an annular nozzle can result in thrust augmentation of up to 50 percent. The magnitude of thrust augmentation was a function of ground-to-nozzle distance, nozzle configuration, and nozzle pressure ratio. With a conventional circular nozzle a thrust reduction of 15 to 40 percent due to ground effect was obtained. The degree of thrust reduction was primarily a function of nozzle pressure ratio and ground-to-nozzle distance.