High Fidelity, Real-Time, Rotor Wake Module with Shipboard Interactions

Continuum Dynamics, Inc. has recently developed breakthrough technologies that allow real-time solutions of full-span, free-vortex rotor wake models coupled with fast panel fuselage/empennage models. These technologies have been incorporated into aerodynamic modules for integration into flight simulation software environments throughout the rotorcraft industry, providing unprecedented modeling capabilities for both real time and engineering analyses. The proposed effort will enhance these models with improved methods for physics-based modeling of shipboard operations, resulting in an advanced rotor aerodynamic module allowing detailed prediction of the three-dimensional, unsteady rotor-induced flow field, including complex multi-rotor and wake/fuselage interactions, in challenging flight regimes such as vertical descent, autorotation, sideward flight and ground effect. Key innovations to be developed as part of the proposed program include a novel approach for a real-time, free-vortex rotor wake/CFD-based ship airwake solution with full wake-on-wake interactions. In addition, a hierarchy of improved real-time, physics-based methods for modeling partial ground effect, ship motion, and wake/fuselage interactions will be developed, with emphasis on flexible, robust modules that may be installed across multiple helicopter simulations and will be scalable to leverage increasing capable computer hardware. The end product will be incorporated into Navy flight trainers providing unprecedented high fidelity flight simulation for shipboard operations.