Real-Time CFD Dynamic Interfaces for Two-Way Coupled Helicopter-Ship Airwake Interactions: A GPU-Accelerated LBM Framework

The proposal, submitted by Advanced CFD Solutions, LLC, focuses on developing real-time Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solutions for helicopter operations on ships. It addresses the challenges posed by complex aerodynamic interactions between rotorcraft and ship airwakes, which impact handling, pilot workload, and safety during takeoff and landing. The project aims to enhance high-fidelity training simulators by improving the accuracy and computational efficiency of airwake models.The technical approach leverages Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM), a highly parallelizable CFD technique, combined with Blade Element Method (BEM) for rotorcraft modeling. The proposal outlines key gaps in current simulation capabilities, including:Understanding LBM methodologies in terms of computational cost, accuracy, and algorithms.Integrating BEM with CFD technologies to enhance rotorcraft aerodynamics predictions.Developing adaptable BEM models for various rotorcraft configurations.Implementing GPU-based computing systems for real-time CFD applications.The Phase I objectives include:Developing a real-time LBM-BEM simulation framework for ship airwake and helicopter interaction.Expanding GPU-based solutions to accelerate simulations and improve real-time interfacing with pilot training simulators.Leveraging machine learning (ML) models, particularly NASA’s PALMO, to enhance aerodynamic modeling.Interfacing LBM-BEM models with existing flight simulation environments to support training and operational assessments.The proposed hardware/software integration focuses on evaluating various NVIDIA GPU architectures, including the upcoming DIGIT AI platform, to explore cost-effective real-time simulation solutions. Additionally, the project will develop high-accuracy BEM libraries that surpass current industry standards, streamlining aerodynamic computations for different rotorcraft configurations.The research will also explore AI-driven airfoil modeling to replace conventional C81-based methods, reducing the complexity and computational effort required for new rotorcraft models. The final Phase I task will identify and address remaining technical gaps, ensuring the project transitions smoothly into Phase II development.The key personnel include experts in CFD, rotorcraft aerodynamics, and GPU computing from Advanced CFD Solutions, Penn State University (PSU), and the University of Central Florida (UCF). Their collective experience in ship airwake simulations, BEM accuracy studies, and high-performance computing ensures the feasibility of the proposed approach.The proposal also highlights related research, particularly work in high-fidelity ship airwake modeling, rotorcraft aerodynamics, and wind energy applications. It outlines past collaborations with NASA, Sikorsky, Bell Helicopter, and the Penn State Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence (VLRCOE).