193. A Dissertation on the Problems Associated with Estimating Structural Weights on Supersonic Airplanes With Particular regard

Paper

Abstract

This paper was presented at the September 26, 1956 meeting of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Aeronautical Weight Engineers. This paper is an attempt to present briefly some of the problems in estimating structural weights of high speed airplanes and in particular low aspect ratio wings. This is an opportune time to review weight estimating procedures in view of the added responsibilities brought on by new Research and Development Command procedure in the procurement of new airplanes. A new study would allow us to cover large variations in speed, altitude, range, load factors, etc., in the search for the best compromise between cost and weight. This effort will allow us to account in detail for the weight allocated and the design conditions and assumptions upon which it is based. Although accuracy in weight estimating methods is important on all airplanes, it is essential for the true and accurate analysis of a supersonic airplane. Consequently the growth factors we are working against are much higher than those experienced on the present breed of fighters which are supersonic for relatively short periods of time.
A great volume of material already exists on wing estimation and it would seem that any addition to this would be superfluous. The wing however is subject to most variation in configuration studies, and we still have problems in making good estimates. This paper has attempted to illustrate some of the procedures that can help in achieving greater accuracy in estimation of structural weight