In recent years, the Air Force has provided additional funds to investigate the technologies and problems associated with providing fighters a Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) capability without seriously degrading today’s maneuver, load, and cruise performance. Within the Flight Dynamics Laboratory, this technology thrust has been planned and organized under the title of “Runway Independence.”
The thrust is multi-disciplined in that the following technologies are being investigated both singularly and in integrated combinations to quantify their contribution to providing options in solving the STOL design task. These technologies are: aerodynamics, integrated controls, thrust vectoring/reversing exhaust nozzles, landing gear, and cockpit aids and controllers necessary to operate under weather and/or at night.
To help focus these technology efforts and to mature existing technology, the STOL Technology Fighter program was formulated. The objective of the program is to flight validate and mature near-term advanced technologies applicable to providing a STOL capability without sacrificing today’s maneuver, cruise or dash performance. Specific technologies to be addressed in this program are: two-dimensional thrust vectoring/reversing exhaust nozzle; integrated flight/propulsion control; advanced high lift systems; rough/soft field landing gear; and cockpit aids and controllers necessary to locate and land a fighter on the usable portion of the runway at night and in weather.
The program will either modify an existing fighter like the F-15, F-16 or F-18 or build a hybrid vehicle like the X-29 with these technologies integrated into the vehicle. The contract will be awarded in 1983 with first flight in late 1987. The end objective of the program is to demonstrate take offs and landings under wet runway conditions of under 1500 feet including dispersion. This paper discusses the integration of these technologies into a total flight program.
