Innovative Methods for Modeling and Simulation of Tiltrotor Aircraft

Progress has been made in developing high fidelity rotorcraft simulation tools in support of design, operation, and flight testing. Limitations, however, exist in rotorcraft simulation validation and continued model updating in order to improve the correlation with flight tests. ART proposes to develop an advanced simulation validation and efficient model updating methodology that will significantly enhance modern rotary wing and tiltrotor aircraft modeling tools for providing life cycle simulation support. The proposed rotorcraft simulation validation and updating methodology will be state of the art and suited for physical component based modeling. The simulation validation and corresponding model updating will be carried out at both modeling component and system levels through a systematic approach. The proposed methodology will be focused on addressing the root cause of current modeling deficiencies, especially the strongly coupled rotor/airframe dynamics and their mutual aerodynamic interactions. Finally, the proposed methodology will be formulated to be suited for integration with physics-based high fidelity rotorcraft modeling and simulation programs.