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Spin Research Vehicle (SRV)
The remotely piloted Spin Research Vehicle (SRV) was launched from a NASA B-52 carrier aircraft at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, to investigate stability and controlability of the three-eights scale F-15 configuration at high angles of attack.

DFRC Photo # Photo Date Image Description
EC81-15480 1981 Spin Research Vehicle (SRV) in B-52 captive flight
ECN-3644 1975 F-15 RPRV Spin Research Vehicle (SRV) attached to B-52 pylon in captive flight

Additional Information

Altitudes ranging from 16,000 to 1000 meters were flown with the unpowered SRV with angles of attack ranging from 88 degrees to -70 degrees in erect and inverted spins. Over 1200 turns were obtained in spins during the program, including one spin of 2.5 minues and 72 turns covering 12,000 meters of altitude. The high number of turns per spin allowed steady-state spin information to be obtained without creating risk or discomfort for a pilot.

The SRV was about 7 meters long and had a wingspan of about 4 meters. The aircraft was evaluated with many different control laws, most of which were developed flying qualities studies. The vehicle evaluated various forebody configurations and spin recovery devices.

The SRV was flown 27 times with each flight lasting about 10 minutes and concluding with a landing on the surface of Rogers Dry Lake. The SRV pilot flew the aircraft from a ground cockpit in the Remotely Piloted Research Vehicle Laboratory (RPRV) at Dryden. Landing was accomplished through the use of an onboard television camera.

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