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NASA Meatball NASA Dryden F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) banner
F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) Photo Gallery Contact Sheet F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) Photo Gallery Contact Sheet

Photo Number: N/A
Photo Date: 23 May 2000

Formats: Low Resolution Image Contact Sheet (134 KBytes)
Medium Resolution Image Contact Sheet (134 KBytes)
High Resolution Image Contact Sheet (117 KBytes)

Description: These are the image contact sheets for each image resolution of the NASA Dryden F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) Photo Gallery.

The final flight for the F-18 HARV took place at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, on May 29, 1996, and was flown by NASA pilot Ed Schneider. Angle of attack, or alpha, is the term used to describe an aircraft's angle relative to its flight path. The highly modified F-18 airplane flew 383 flights over a nine year period and demonstrated concepts that greatly increase fighter maneuverability.

Among concepts proven in the aircraft was the use of paddles to direct jet engine exhaust in cases of extreme altitudes where conventional control surfaces lose effectiveness. Another concept, developed by NASA Langley Research Center, was a deployable wing-like surface installed on the nose of the aircraft for increased right and left (yaw) control on nose-high flight angles.

Airflow patterns of smoke, dye and yarn tufts were recorded on both film and videotape for a comparison with computer and wind tunnel predictions during visual airflow studies. The new thrust vectoring system was used to demonstrate controlled flight at 70 degrees angle of attack.


Keywords: F-18; HARV; High Alpha Research Vehicle; angle of attack; yaw; airflow patterns



Last Modified: February 6, 2002
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