Eidetics Awarded Air Force Research Laboratory Small Business Innovation Research Phase II Contract for Active Reduction of Skin Friction Drag program

August 31, 1998 - Eidetics Corporation was recently awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research contract sponsored by the Air Force Research Labs. The Phase II program, entitled Active Reduction of Skin Friction Drag is a continuation of the Phase I program completed by Eidetics.

"Aircraft range is limited by aerodynamic drag and even a modest reduction of the drag provides significant fuel savings. Recent advances in electronics and control technologies make active boundary layer control practical. The integration of modern control systems with aerodynamic boundary layer control allows a major reduction in skin friction drag. The overall objective is to provide a reduction in turbulent boundary layer drag without offsetting aerodynamic penalties or excessive power requirements. 

Effective active flow control devices demonstrated in Phase I will be integrated with flow sensors and a control system to create a practical turbulent drag reduction system. The system performance will be demonstrated during wind tunnel tests with fuselage and wing models. In comparison with passive techniques, the active device offers the benefits of smaller size, less device drag, greater effectiveness and flexible control over a wide range of operating conditions."