Innovative, Rapid Non-Linear Physics-Based Aeroelastic Analysis System

ABSTRACT: Accurate aeroelastic predictions are critical to the development of aircraft and assessment of aircraft/store compatibility since structural deformation and aeroelastic instabilities during flight affect pilot/aircraft safety and mission success. Indeed, several fighter aircraft have demonstrated recurring susceptibility to Limit Cycle Oscillations (LCO) when certain external stores are installed on the aircraft. Despite this critically important issue, the ability to rapidly and accurately predict flutter and LCO with current numerical methods is limited due to modeling fidelity and computational cost. The proposed effort seeks to address these limitations by developing an innovative rapid non-linear physics based flutter/LCO analysis system for implementation on workstation-class hardware. This effort will build upon the extensive experience of Continuum Dynamics, Inc. and Duke University in developing coupled aeromechanics analysis of a wide variety of configurations to bridge the gap between the reduced fidelity models most often used by industry and the resource intensive CFD-based approaches employed in the research environment. The proposed analysis system will be based around a unique variable fidelity non-linear CFD method combined with an innovative analysis procedure and integrated structural dynamics analysis to dramatically reduce the time required to investigate to aeroelastic performance of a new airframe or and store configurations. BENEFIT: A successful SBIR effort would produce an accurate and efficient aeroelastic analysis system for rapidly evaluating airframe and aircraft/store combination stability. This analysis system would directly support the USAFs long-term flutter and LCO prediction goals, particularly with regards to the evaluation of new aircraft/store combinations, aircraft/store modernization efforts and supporting flight test activities. Significant commercialization opportunities are anticipated from licensing the new analysis to major air-vehicle manufacturers and other branches of the government involved in air platform performance enhancement and external stores compatibility.