Fighter Agility Metrics, Research and Test

This paper presents the results of an analysis of proposed metrics to assess fighter aircraft agility. A novel framework for classifying these metrics is developed and applied. A set of transient metrics intended to quantify the axial and pitch agility of fighter aircraft is evaluated with a high fidelity, nonlinear generic simulation of the F-18 Hornet. Test techniques and data reduction methods are proposed, and sensitivities to pilot introduced errors during flight testing is investigated. Results indicate that the power onset and power loss parameters are promising candidates for quantifying axial agility, while maximum pitch-up and pitch-down rates are for quantifying pitch agility. Nomenclature g = gravitational acceleration, ft/s2 Ps = specific excess power, ft/s Psf = Ps at maximum value of thrust minus drag, ft/s Ps. = Ps at minimum value of thrust minus drag, ft/s tf = time at which thrust minus drag is maximum, s tf = time at which thrust minus drag is minimum,