Aerodynamics analysis of fighter aircraft in formation flight

Abstract

Formation flight is one of typical methods that migrating birds use for a long distance flight. It has been known that aircraft in formation flight have the advantage that their aerodynamic efficiencies increase with an optimal combination of axial and lateral distance between the aircraft. The disadvantage is that the slight change of the relative distance can result in the unstable operating conditions. In the present study, a potential based panel method is utilized in order to compute the aerodynamics of the aircraft in formation flight. In the conference, the effect of the changes in the relative distances (axial, lateral, and vertical) on the aerodynamic performance will be addressed.