EG-0039-02
Dryden used an F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft as its Systems Research Aircraft (SRA). A primary objective was to identify and flight-test high leverage technologies beneficial to subsonic, supersonic, hypersonic, or space applications. The SRA flight test facility enabled government and industry to focus the integration, ground test, and flight validation of break-through technologies.
Among the more than 20 experiments being flight-tested were several involving fiber optic sensor systems. Experiments developed by McDonnell-Douglas and Lockheed-Martin centered on installation and maintenace techniques for various types of fiber-optic hardware proposed for use in military and commercial aircraft, while a Parker-Hannifin experiment focused in alternative fiber-optic designs for position measurement sensors as well as operational experience in handling optical sensor systems.
Another one of the experiments being tested aboard the SRA F-18 is an advanced air data sensing system which uses a group of pressure taps flush-mounted on the forward fuselage to measure both altitude and wind speed and direction – critical data for flight control and research investigations. The Real-Time Flush Air Data Sensing system concept is being evaluated for possible use on the X-33 and X-34 resuable space-launch vehicles…Learn more