Strake vortex control using pneumatic blowing

Laser light sheet flow visualization and laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) have been utilized to study the effectiveness of pneumatic jet blowing in modifying the breakdown and coupling locations of the strake and wing vortices generated over a generic fighter aircraft model with a 55 degree sweep cropped delta wing planform fitted with forebody strakes. Flow visualization has been used to determine jet blowing locations and nozzle configurations which have the maximum beneficial effects of delaying both vortex breakdown, and coupling between the strake and wing vortices. The three component LDA has then been used to study the effects of jet blowing on the strake and wing vortex velocity fields.