An aeroacoustic study of a 26 pct.-scale landing gear model was conducted in a 7-by 10-foot using a phased microphone array. The incorporation of complex parts via stereo lithography produced a model that can mimic full-scale details down to 3 mm. These details include the contours, brake cylinders, bolt holes, and wheel hubs that appear on the real landing gear. Major noise sources were identified and ranked. From the sideline view, the noise levels of the cable harness and torque link were each at least 8 dB above that of a clean configuration. Sources from the more ambiguous fly-over view, such as the front axle, center axle and rear axle regions, were 11 dB above the clean configuration for frequencies below 2000 Hz full-scale. This increment in noise likely included other sources situated behind the truck. Referenced to the clean configuration, the braces and links contributed as much as 8 dB. Tests with a fully sealed fairing on the landing gear suggest, through careful design of major components, a noise reduction of up to 15 dB can be achieved although 2 to 6 dB of noise reduction is probably a more realistic goal.
Stephen M. Jaeger, Nathan J. Burnside, Paul T. Soderman, W. Clifton Horne, and Kevin D. James, “Microphone Array Assessment of an Isolated, 26%-scale, High-fidelity Landing Gear,” AIAA 2002-2410, 8th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference, Breckenridge, CO, June 2002.