Aerodynamic assessment of pylon-mounted over-the-wing engine installations on a STOL commercial aircraft concept

Abstract

Aerodynamic interference effects and potential benefits of an over-the-wing mounted (OWM) engine installation are examined with CFD methods. The reference configuration is a novel transport aircraft concept with STOL capabilities. The wing/body configuration is compared to the wing/body/engine configuration with power-off nacelle. Subsequently, jet-on computations are carried out to address the influence of the jet presence on the engine/airframe interference effects. The engine is initially considered in a reference position. Successively, position variations of the engine are performed to analyze the interaction with the supersonic region and shocks on the wing upper surface. To conclude the study, a preliminary evaluation of the installation drag is done, to investigate the potential of favorable interference effects and reduced drag with respect to more conventional under-the-wing mounted (UWM) engines installations.