Microvane Technology

Very simply, Microvanes generate swirl in direction opposite to natural aft fuselage vortices and reshapes air flow around the aft cargo door; thereby, reducing total drag and thrust requirements on the aircraft.

Extensive testing for flight (over 18,000 hours), wind tunnel, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was completed from 2003-2014, validating Microvane safety and optimization of the design configuration to produce optimal drag reduction results.

While trend data was retrieved from the Post-flight Removable Memory Module (RMM), other impact and structural data was extracted from the Automated Inspection, Repair, Corrosion and Aircraft Tracking (AIRCAT) system.

Proven Effective, Tested for Safety

The following summarizes the aerodynamic performance tests and conditions that were evaluated with a focus on safety, drag reduction, optimization, and handling:

Range of flight conditions: climb, cruise, descent, airdrop, traffic/approach; at a range of weights, speeds and altitudes
Long and short C-130 aircraft assessed
Propeller effects assessed
DIRCM & LAIRCM Fairings impact assessed
Stability and control impact assessed
Air Drop and Paratroop testing
Material and adhesive testing
Approximately 300 CFD solutions generated for drag and handling validation
Aerodynamic Loads and structural analysis created for safety
System Safety assessment developed for flight handling (FHA)

Patent Information

U.S. Patent 8,226,038 B2, issued 7/24/2012, Titled “Microvanes for Aircraft Aft Body Drag Reduction”

European Patent Application EP 2 230 175 A2, Filed 3/17/2010, Titled “Microvanes for Aircraft Aft Body Drag Reduction”

U.S. Patent 9,079,658 B2, issued 7/14/2015, Titled “Vortex Generation Device”