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Thrust Stand used for ACTIVE Ground Testing

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NASA

Sep 28, 2009
Image Article
Thrust Stand used for ACTIVE Ground Testing
This November 13, 1995, photograph of the F-15B Advanced Controls Technology for Integrated Vehicles (ACTIVE) at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, showed the thrust stand being used for ground testing of a new thrust-vectoring concept involving two new Pratt & Whitney nozzles.

EC95-43338-8

Project: Advanced Control Technology for Integrated Vehicles (ACTIVE)
This November 13, 1995, photograph of the F-15B ACTIVE at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, showed the thrust stand being used for ground testing of a new thrust-vectoring concept involving two new Pratt & Whitney nozzles that can turn up to 20 degrees in any direction. These nozzles gave the aircraft thrust control in the pitch (up and down) and yaw (left and right) directions. This reduced drag and increase fuel economy or range as compared with conventional aerodynamic controls, which increased the retarding forces (drag) acting upon the aircraft.

These tests could lead to significant performance increases for military and commercial aircraft. The research project was the product of a collaborative effort by NASA, the Air Force’s Wright Laboratory, Pratt & Whitney, and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace.13 Nov 1995NASA Photo› F-15 ACTIVE Project Description