Determining the Actual Physical
 Performance Requirements for an Improved
 F-16B/D Canopy Actuator

Period of Performance:  June 2000 – June 2001

Principal Investigator: Marc Huelsman
University of Dayton Research Institute
300 College Park
Dayton, OH 45469-0110
Phone: 937-229-3020
Fax: 937-229-4251
Email: huelsman@udri.udayton.edu

This task was a program to develop new specification requirements for 2-seat F-16 aircraft canopy actuators. The USAF was seeking to improve both reliability and maintainability of these actuators.

In support of this USAF objective, UDRI conducted a structural analysis to determine the weakest link in the canopy actuation system, and UDRI analyzed and developed loads for canopy actuation, taxi, and wind loading conditions. Loads for wind were determined using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the canopy at ½ and full open conditions. Loads for taxi conditions were developed analytically. To determine realistic actuation loads, a series of ground tests were conducted at Davis Monthan AFB. For these tests, UDRI developed a portable hydraulic power system and a custom instrumented hydraulic actuator. This system was used to determine actual loads during canopy open and close cycles under a variety of different canopy rigging conditions. We also evaluated a number of interference problems with the current actuator with wire bundles and the aft cockpit glareshield. Recommendations were made regarding strength, fatigue, operation, and envelope geometry, which define the requirements for a new actuator.

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