Experimental investigation of a three-dimensional turret wake with active flow control

An experimental investigation was performed on a three-dimensional, non-conformal turret with the goal of gaining a more detailed understanding of the spatial and temporal nature of the turret wake. The turret flow field was investigated using particle image velocimetry and dynamic surface pressure measurements, both with and without active flow control. Active flow control for the current work was applied at the leading edge of the turret aperture using steady suction and was matched to a configuration used for control of aero-optic distortions. The results of these experiments give insight into the complex, three-dimensional wake that develops as a result of the turret geometry as well as the significant changes that can be achieved with the application of active flow control, even when applied only to the aperture region of the cap geometry.