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The SnoDog: Preliminary design of a close air support aircraftU.S. military forces are presently searching for the next generation Close Air Support aircraft. The following report presents the SnoDog, a low-cost ($14.8 million) aircraft capable of operating from remote battlefields and unimproved airstrips. The configuration consists of a conventional, low aspect-ratio wing, twin booms, twin canted vertical stabilizers along with a high-mounted joined horizontal tail. A supercritical airfoil for the wing enhances aerodynamic performance, while the SnoDog's instability increases maneuverability over current close air support aircraft. Survivability was incorporated into the design by the use of a titanium tub to protect the cockpit from anti-aircraft artillery, as well as, the twin booms and retracted gear disposition. The booms aid survivability by supplying separated, redundant controls, and the landing gear are slightly exposed when retracted to enable a belly landing in emergencies. Designed to fly at Mach .76, the SnoDog is powered by two low-bypass turbofan engines. Engine accessibility and interchangeable parts make the SnoDog highly maintainable. The SnoDog is adaptable to many different missions, as it is capable of carrying advanced avionics pods, carrying external fuel tanks or refueling in-air, and carrying various types of munitions. This makes the SnoDog a multirole aircraft capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. This combination of features make the SnoDog unique as a close air support aircraft, capable of meeting the U.S. military's future needs.
Document ID
19920012246
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Ashbaugh, Scott (California Polytechnic State Univ. San Luis Obispo, CA, United States)
Bartel, Kent (California Polytechnic State Univ. San Luis Obispo, CA, United States)
Cavalli, J. R. (California Polytechnic State Univ. San Luis Obispo, CA, United States)
Chan, John (California Polytechnic State Univ. San Luis Obispo, CA, United States)
Chung, Jason (California Polytechnic State Univ. San Luis Obispo, CA, United States)
Dimaranan, Liza (California Polytechnic State Univ. San Luis Obispo, CA, United States)
Freese, Mike (California Polytechnic State Univ. San Luis Obispo, CA, United States)
Levitt, Rick (California Polytechnic State Univ. San Luis Obispo, CA, United States)
Soban, Dani (California Polytechnic State Univ. San Luis Obispo, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
May 17, 1991
Subject Category
Aircraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:189990
NASA-CR-189990
Accession Number
92N21489
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASW-4435
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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