Use of glass in high-speed aircraft

GT V02 1961 175-185

A study of the problems associated with the use of glass for structural components in high-speed aircraft is presented. No attempt is made to deal with the subject on the specialized grounds of the physicist but more from the general aspect of aircraft performance requirements and the associated environmental conditions to which the components are subjected. The design feature requirements are discussed on present and future generation civil and military aircraft. The first part considers the aircraft operational performance requirements including the typical flight plan to which supersonic transport aircraft might be subjected. This leads naturally into the environmental conditions to which aircraft (and hence the components) will be subjected. Atmospheric conditions both on the ground and in the air are discussed, including effects of rain and hail, followed by conditions due to actual flight plans, i.e. kinetic heating, bird impact, etc. The design features are covered by a description of the strength requirements and the types of components for which glass (including quartz and ceramics) are used with the accent on windscreens and radomes and the way in which these components satisfy or fall short of the requirements. A brief survey is given of present testing methods. The paper concludes with suggestions for the future generation of of aircraft requirements in the field of glass components.

G. W. Underwood
Advanced Projects Group, Hawker Siddeley Aviation Limited