A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING DRAG ON A TRAILING AIR VEHICLE FLYING BEHIND A LEADING AIR VEHICLE

摘要

A method of adjusting the drag on a trailing air vehicle (3) flying behind a leading air vehicle (1), the method comprising the steps of: (i) detecting a wingtip vortex (5) shed from the leading air vehicle (1), for example using background oriented schlieren; (ii) determining the position of the wingtip vortex (5) for example using photogrammetry; and (iii) modifying the flight path of the trailing air vehicle (3) in dependence on the determined position. This may enable the trailing air vehicle (3) to efficiently interact with the wingtip vortex (5) and reduce drag.