Aerodynamic Design—Stability and Control Available to Purchase

THE Harrier is not only an effective V/S.T.O.L. machine, it is also an efficient strike aircraft. This has only been achieved by the solution of a wider than usual range of aerodynamic problems. Solving these problems has not been made easy by the apparent incompatibility of some of the requirements at the two extremes of the speed range. The intake, for example, has had to be endowed with an extremely high static efficiency at high mass flows to provide the best possible V/S.T.O.L. performance. At the same time excessive spillage drag could not be tolerated in conventional flight. This particular aspect is covered in detail elsewhere in this issue. Similar problems have arisen in the field of stability and control and this subject will form the main part of this chapter. Mention will also be made of some other aerodynamic aspects of particular interest.