Advanced Aerodynamic Modules for Comprehensive Rotorcraft Analyses

Fast, accurate computational models of rotary-wing aerodynamics and dynamics are critical for the analysis and design of rotorcraft. To address this need, the U.S. Army has developed the Rotorcraft Comprehensive Analysis System, RCAS, which has state-of-the-art computational structural dynamics (CSD) modeling. In complementary work, Continuum Dynamics, Inc., (CDI), has developed a collection of fast, high fidelity aerodynamic models suitable for a wide range of rotorcraft applications. These models utilize a full-span, free-vortex wake model coupled to a fast lifting panel analysis. The key goal of the proposed SBIR effort is to integrate CDI’s high fidelity aerodynamic models into RCAS, thus marrying the highest fidelity rotorcraft structural dynamics and aerodynamics solutions currently available for comprehensive analysis into a single code, RCAS. In Phase I, CDI and the Georgia Institute of Technology, (GIT), developed a coupled RCAS/CHARM solution and demonstrated its potential for improved aerodynamic modeling. In Phase II, the implementation of the coupled solution will be completed and the aerodynamic analysis capabilities extended in both accuracy and scope. Improved aerodynamic models for comprehensive codes will be developed to help bridge the gap in areas where aerodynamic predictions with comprehensive codes are less accurate than those currently obtained with coupled CSD/CFD solutions.