Computational Investigation of Nozzle Flowfields at Various Flight Conditions for Aircraft Infrared Signature Analysis

Abstract

Aerothermodynamic flowfields of aircraft engine nozzles are computationally investigated at various flight conditions for infrared signature analysis. A mission profile of subsonic unmanned combat aerial vehicle is considered for the case study and associated engine and nozzles are selected through a performance analysis. Computational results of nozzle and plume flowfields using a density-based CFD code are analyzed in terms of thrust, maximum temperature, length and optical thickness of plume. It is shown that maximum temperature, length, and optical thickness of nozzle plume increase for lower altitude and higher Mach number.