Vortex-induced effects on aircraft dynamics

At the h igh angles of attack that modern high performance aircraft operate, vortices generated by a highly swept wing leading edge or a slender forebody strongly i nfluence the vehicle dynamics. The vortex-induced aerodynamic loads are highly nonlinear. Of particular concern are the d iscontinuous loads generated by sudden changes in the vortex geometry, as t hey often have a n adverse effect on the aircraft dynamics. Examples are the wing rock and wing bending oscillations experienced by aircraft with highly swept wing leading edges. Another example is the interaction occurring between asymmetric forebody vortices and a downstream fin, wing, or horizontal tail surface.