AAA OHI016 AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF GRID FIN DRAG REDUCTION TECHNIQUES Mark 5. Mitler* Dynetice, Ine Huntsville, Alabama ‘Wm. David Washington* US. Army Missile Command Redstone A ABSTRACT ‘A wind tunnel test program was conducted to ‘investigate ‘varicus techniques for reducing grid fin drag levels. Six different Grid fin ‘configurations were tetted to letermine the effects of outer frame cros section shepe and web thickness, ‘The fins were mounted on four individual fin balances near the af: end of @ body.of- revolution. ‘Test parameters included: angle of attack “(8 020 degrees), fin eflection (0, 10 and 20 degrees), and Mach ‘number (0.8 to 2.5). Test results obtained indicate that frame cross-section shape and web thickness have a significant effect on rid fin drag characteristics at all Mach ‘humbers tested. ‘The effects of these design parameters on grid fin normal force and ‘hinge moment characterstis are shown to bbotsmall. From the reslts presented in this paper, the observation is made that grid fin Gag levels can be tailored considerably with a minimal impact an other grid fin aerodynamic properties, LINTRODUCTION ‘A grid fin, also known as a lattice control surface or wing with internal framework, ‘an unconventional aerodynamic control eve that consists of en outer frame which supports a unique, internal grid structure, igure 1 shows a sketch ofthe baseline gid fin dosign evaluated for this investigation, + aeopce Eagle, Mester ALAA 1 eoepceRasearoh Eogaer, Member ALAA ie Sot pom ae Ua Be nal, Alabama ‘The fundamental design of a grid fin allows a highly effective aerodynamic control device to be stowed along the body of ‘9 missile without causing a large increase in overall’ dimensions. In. addition to efficient packaging, the internal grid structure (webbing) ofa grid fin provides it with a remarkably high strength-to-weight ati. Tho small chord dimensions ofthese devices result in near zero hinge moments and small center of pressure variations ‘over wide Mach number ranges, thereby reducing control actustor requirements Conclusions drawn from experimental results published in References 1 through 5 hhave shown the grid fin concept to be an excellent aerodynamic control deviee to consider for appli airframes requiring cimpact storage. The principle concern whith has restricted the ‘pplication of thie technology has been the relatively high drag levels of grid. fins ‘when compared t» conventional fins ‘An experimental wind tunnel test program ‘was developed and implemented in order to investigate two different techniques for reducing grid fin drag levels. A total of six variations of the baseline grid fin de shown in Figure 1 were tested for Mi numbers ranging from 0.5 to 2.5. The principle objective ofthe tet was to evaluate the affects of outer frame cross-section shape and web thickness on grid fin drag levels ‘This paper first provides a brief summary of the wind tunnel test program, Test reeultsTL WIND TUNNEL TEST PROGRAM ‘Test Articles ‘Feat data were obtained on a total of six |s|s|=)|s we [ae s| sl se| | we a>] s s[e>apale =|» | = is[>a[a) es2. Frame crogs-tection shape has a small ‘effect on grid fin chordwise center of [pressure location. ‘The effect is grestert at Iigher angles of attack and ie typically leas ‘han 54 of the grid fin chord length. Root bending moment characterist 8. Frame cross-section shape and web thickness have a significant effect of grid fin drag characteristics. Simple shaping of the frame cross-section has been shown to feonsiderably reduce drag levele for all Mach numbers tested. -Likewiee, web thickness has also been found tobe critical design parameter affecting grid fin drag. 4. Differences between grid fin drag ‘values due to frame cross-section shape and web thickness remain relatively consistent with variations in both angle of attack and ‘Mach'number, 5. Grid fin induced drag varies lineerly With Cl? up to moderate angles of attack ‘The trends observed are similar to conventional planar fins. "The observations noted abore indicate that grid fin drag levela can be tailored considerably with only @ minimal impact on grid fin lift and other aerodynamic properties. "The results obtained from this Investigation appear to indiate that further design trade studies optimising grid fin frame cross-section, web thickness and support structure may enable grid fin drag levels to approach the drag levele. of conventional fin with equivalent lift characteristics. It is important to reiterate that the objective of the test was only to evaluate the sensitivity of grid fin drag levels to changes in frame cross-section shape and vteb thickness. No attempt was ‘made to minimize or maximize the drag level ofthe grid fin configurations tested. "The results presented in this paper provide new {into the aerodynamic of grid fins which will ‘enable future system application studies to be performed with greater accuracy and a higher degree of confidence. Such studies should examine the drag characteristics of ‘grid fin design concepts within the constraints and requirements of a weapon system prior to making a decision on the Suitability of their application [REFERENCES 1. Washington, Wm. David, Pamela E. Booth and Mark 8. Miller, “Curvature and Leading Bdge Sweep Back Evfects om Grid Fin Aerodynamic Characteristics, AIAA Paper 93-8480, Presented at the 1999 AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, “Monterey, California, August 10, 1998, 2 Miller, Mark 8. George M. Landingham "and "William D. Washington, "Recent Developments and Applications of Grid Fin Missile Airframe Technology," Presented at the 1993 AIAA Missile Sciences Conference, Ni Postgraduate School, Manterey, California, February 28,1988, 8. Washington, Wm. David and Miller, Mark 8., "Grid Fine = A New Concept for Missile Stability and Control” ALAA Paper 93-0035, Presented at the dlst Aerospace Sciences Meeting & Exhibit, Reno, Novads January 1, 198. 4 Miller, Mark S., and Richard L Burton, “An Innovative Aerodynamic Control Device for Compact Weapon Applications," NWC TP 7137, Presented at ‘the 1990 AIAA Missile Seiencos Conference, Naval Postgraduate School, Montarey, Californie, November” 14, 1900 5. Miller, Mark S., and Richard L. Burton, "Application of Foreign Airframe ‘Technology to Enhance Smart Weapon Flight Characteristics," GACIAC PR 90-02, Vol. 2, Presented at the US. Army Smart Weapons Conference, Adelphi, Maryland, ‘Aust 18, 1980,Figure 2. Sketch of Wind Tunnel Model. FIANCE REAR YEW Figure 3. Balance Sign ConventorsFigure 4. Normal Force Coetficient Versus Angle of Attack. Figure 5, Root Bending Moment Coeficient Versus Angle of Attack. 7t i [Figure 7, Axial Force Coefficient Versus Angle of Attack.igure 9. Grid Fin Drag Comparisons Figure 10. Grid Fin Induced Drag.