Lateral-directional flying quality characteristics of high aspect-ratio combat flying wings

The roll and yaw axes flying qualities of high aspect-ratio combat flying wings were assessed, based on MIL-STD-1797A. With the adjustment and improvement provided by the proper-designed flight control system, the closed-loop dynamic response characteristics of flying wings, such as roll mode, spiral mode, roll-spiral coupling, dutch roll mode, lateral acceleration at pilot station and so on, were improved a lot inspite of the different configurations, but the static trimming characteristics can not entirely meet the criterion on account of the all-wing configuration. Roll axis and yaw axis control power requirements of roll maneuver, cross-wind takeoff and landing, asymmetric thrusts were studied, and in some cases the control power requirements of combat flying wings are quite different with those of the conventional-configuration combat airplanes, due to the disappearance of vertical tail and rudders and the appearance of the new-style control effectors set.