Initial Flight Tests of the NACA FR-2, a High-Velocity Rocket-Propelled Vehicle for Transonic Flutter Research Page: 2 of 22
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TECH LIBRARY KAFB, NM
NACA RM No. L7J20 kEi ATED 0143 956
NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AERONA 4
RESEARCH MEMORANDUM
INITIAL FLIGRI TESTS OF THE NACA FR-2, A HIGH-VELOCITY ROCK
PROPELLED VEHICLE FOR TRANSONIC FLUTTER RESEARCH
By J. G. Barmby and J. M. Teitelbaum
SUMMARY
The initial flight tests of two simplified flutter vehicles, which
were launched at the Langley Pilotless Aircraft Research Station at
Wallops Island, Va., are described herein.
The results of the tests are in agreement with the results of the
freely-falling-body test in that the wing failures in the transonic
range occurred at velocities greater than the flutter velocity calculated
from the two-dimensional, incompressible theory.
Although the simple break-wire system seems satisfactory for
exploratory tests, the scope of the investigation could be extended by
use of a frequency-recording telemeter.
The use of high-velocity-rocket test vehicles of this type offers
promise for flutter testing in the transonic and the supersonic regions.
INTRODUCTION
With present-day aircraft approaching sonic speeds, it becomes
desirable to predict flutter conditions throughout the transonic and
supersonic regions. This problem is being attacked by the National
Advisory Committee for Aeronautics employing the Langley flutter tunnel,
freely falling bodies, low-acceleration rocket-propelled vehicles, and
high-velocity rocket-propelled vehicles. This last vehicle, designated
the FR-2, is the only one capable of making flutter tests to a Mach
number of 1.7 and was designed to be quickly and easily constructed
and launched. The results of the initial flight tests of this vehicle
are presented herein.
In order to check the stability of the model, the operation of the
radio transmitter, and the ability of the trackers to obtain Doppler radar
records over the desired range, models 1 and 2 were launched with only
fins and instrumented nose. As these flights were successful, two setsCONFIDENTIAL
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Barmby, J. G. & Teitelbaum, J. M. Initial Flight Tests of the NACA FR-2, a High-Velocity Rocket-Propelled Vehicle for Transonic Flutter Research, report, March 4, 1948; (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc58114/m1/2/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.