Influence of Design Parameter Variation on Fighter Agility Metrics

Abstract

Metrics that quantify fighter aircraft performance is an active research topic, and agility metrics seek to measure performance previously not captured with classic point performance metrics. Agility metrics are researched to be used in analysis with an advanced desktop simulator and investigate the effects of design parameter variation. Various pitch, roll and manoeuvre metrics are analysed through simulation with the JAS 39 Gripen by varying centre of gravity positions. Significant effects of the varying centre of gravity positions are caught by the metrics, with metric performance between positions differing upwards of 25%. The results serve to motivate the use of agility metrics in aircraft design and development, to visualise trends and tradeoffs not quantifiable by classic performance metrics