F-15S/MTD
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 F-15S/MTD in flight. |
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| Type: | Technology Demonstrator and Research Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | McDonnell Douglas/Boeing |
| Aircraft Used: | T-15A #1, USAF S/N 71-0290 |
| Maiden Flight: | 1988-09-07 |
| Final Flight: | 1991-08-12 |
| Users: | United States Air Force, NASA |
| Related Projects: | F-15 ACTIVE F-15 IFCS F-15 MANX |
The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15S/MTD (Short Takeoff and Landing/Maneuver Technology Demonstrator) is a modified variant of the F-15 Eagle. Developed as a technology demonstrator, the F-15S/MTD carried out research for studying the effects of vectored thrust and enhanced maneuverability. The aircraft used for the project was pre-production TF-15A (F-15B) #1 (USAF S/N 71-0290), the first delivered F-15 airframe, which is on loan to NASA from the United States Air Force. This same aircraft would later be used in the F-15 ACTIVE (Advanced Control Technology for Integrated Vehicles) and F-15 IFCS (Intelligent Flight Control System) programs. The aircraft used in the F-15S/MTD program was used in the F-15 ACTIVE program from 1993-1999, and later in the F-15 IFCS program from 2002 on. With the help of thrust vectoring nozzles, this aircraft can perform the famous Pugachev's Cobra maneuver.
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[edit] Profile
The aircraft used in the F-15S/MTD program has flown several times since the successful F-15S/MTD program completion in 1991 that used vectored thrust and canard foreplanes to improve low-speed performance. This aircraft tested high-tech methods for operating from a short runway—important during wartime, when airfields are likely to be attacked and cratered by enemy fire. This F-15 was part of an effort to improve ABO (Air Base Operability), the survival of warplanes and fighting capability at airfields under attack. A variety of measures—point defenses, construction decoys (such as ones used during World War II), and other deceptions—give airfields high likelihood of remaining in use in the midst of a shooting war. The F-15S/MTD tested ways to improve the situation by demonstrating the ability to land and take off from wet, bomb-damaged runways. The aircraft used a combination of reversible engine thrust, jet nozzles that could be deflected by 20 degrees, and canard foreplanes. Pitch vectoring/reversing nozzles and canard foreplanes were fitted to the F-15 in 1988. NASA acquired the plane in 1993 and replaced the engines with Pratt & Whitney F100-229 engines with Pitch/Yaw vectoring nozzles.[1] The canard foreplanes were derived from the F/A-18's stabilator.
Prior to the 1991, when McDonnell Douglas ended its program after accomplishing of their flight objectives, the F-15 STOL/MTD plane achieved some impressive performance results:[2]
- vectored takeoffs with rotation demonstrated at speeds as low as 42 mph
- a 25-percent reduction in takeoff roll
- landing on just 1,650 ft of runway compared to 7,500 ft for the standard F-15
- thrust reversal in flight to produce rapid decelerations
- controlled flight at angles of attack up to about 85 deg without vertical-tail surfaces
[edit] How the S/MTD works
- Nozzles: By using a combination of the movable nozzles and vanes in the jet pipe, the S/MTD can direct gas forward, outward or at an angle of up to 20 degrees to the axis of the aircraft.
- Combined effect: With its highly advanced flight control software, the S/MTD coordinates the movement of the forward canards to give up-force, and the tailplanes and nozzles produce a down-force when maneuvering.
- Fast Stop: By vectoring engine gas from above and below the nozzles and turning the canard foreplanes to act as giant airbrakes, the S/MTD could decelerate very rapidly. This kind of maneuver might be useful in a dogfight.
[edit] Specifications
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.F-15S/MTD
- Type: Advanced Technology and Research aircraft.
- Powerplant: 2x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 turbofan engines, equipped with Pratt & Whitney 20 Degree two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles, reverse thrust capable.
- Max Dry Thrust: 14,360 lbf (63.88 kN) each
- Max Thrust with afterburner: 23,780 lbf (105.78 kN) each
- Maximum Speed: Mach 2.1 (1,650 mph) at 37,650 ft (2,650 km/h at 11,500 m)
- Service Ceiling: 58,220 ft (17,750 m)
- Range: 2,737 mi (4,405 km)
- Empty weight: 26,966 lb (12,232 kg)
- Loaded Weight: 44,442 lb (20,159 kg)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 70,400 lb (31,930 kg)
Dimensions:
- Wingspan: 42.8 ft (13 m)
- Length: 64 ft (19.7 m)
- Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
- Wing Area: 626 ft² (58.2 m²)
F-15 ACTIVE
- Type: Advanced Technology and Research aircraft.
- Powerplant: 2x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-299 turbofan engines, equipped with Pratt & Whitney P/YBBN 20 Degree three-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles.
- Max Dry Thrust: 23,450 lbf (104 kN) each
- Max Thrust with afterburner: 29,000 lb (129kN) each
- Maximum Speed: Mach 2.0 (1,552 mph) (2,450 km/h)
- Service Ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,288 m)
- Dry weight: 35,000 lb (15,876 kg)
- Takeoff Weight: 47,000 lb (21,319 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 11,520 lb (5,225 kg)(approx. 1,700 gal)
Dimensions:
- Wingspan: 42.8 ft (13 m)
- Length: 63.7 ft (19.42 m), excluding flight test nose boom
- Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
- Horizontal tail span: 28.2 ft (8.60 m)
- Canard span: 25.6 ft (7.80 m)
[edit] Related Aircraft
[edit] Comparable Aircraft
Su-30 - Su-35 - Su-37 - MiG-35 -
[edit] Sources
- Aircraft of the World: The Complete guide.
- NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.
[edit] External links
- http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/home/index.html
- http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-048-DFRC.html
[edit] Gallery
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