Lift Jet Installational Experience: A review of the progress made in lift jet installations and on lift intake and exhaust jet deflector design

Abstract

A review of some of the progress made in lift jet installations is presented in this paper. At the heart of it all is the low cost lightweight RB162 second generation lift jet which is simple and makes extensive use of glass reinforced plastics. Examples of plastic components are shown. The higher thrust/weight and thrust/volume ratio of a third generation lift jet are revealed. The weight of installed features is of comparable importance to the weight of the basic engine. Installed weight has been reduced over three lift jet generations, more than keeping pace with the improvements in basic engine thrust/weight ratio. Weight breakdowns are given for the V.T.O.L. equipment in a fighter‐type aircraft representative of all three generations. Progress on lift intake and exhaust jet deflectors is shown with reference to specific examples. Ground erosion is briefly discussed and shown to be greatly reduced by multiple nozzles and the rolling take‐off technique. Progress being made on some of the problems associated with installing eight lift jets in a V.T.O.L. strike aircraft is briefly discussed with reference to maintenance and instrumentation.

Citation

Coplin, J.F. (1966), "Lift Jet Installational Experience: A review of the progress made in lift jet installations and on lift intake and exhaust jet deflector design", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 38 No. 3, pp. 8-15. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb034131