Automated Updates of Tiltrotor Simulations Using Experimental Data

Aircraft research, development, and testing programs require high-fidelity simulations and aerodynamic models. However, once flight testing begins the process of updating the simulation to match flight-test results is often ad hoc, labor intensive, and costly. Recent research has been investigating data-driven methods for automated and semi-automated updating simulation databases, but this research does not address the unique challenges associated with updating tiltrotor simulations. In the proposed Phase I research, the authors will develop automated methods that (a) determine suitable complexity for a tiltrotor simulation model and (b) tune parameters in that model, including resolving identified parameters down to the component level, where possible. These methods will then be used to updating a complex tiltrotor model using simulated flight data. In Phase II, the authors will extend the tiltrotor approaches to rotorcraft in general, build a suite of database-updating tools, and use these tools to develop and update a high-fidelity tiltrotor simulation using measured flight-test data. For the proposed research, Barron Associates, Inc. has teamed with Systems Technology, Inc. (STI) and Dr. Eugene Morelli; we believe this team has unmatched expertise in rotorcraft modeling, system identification, and automated simulation updating.