Advanced Shipboard Landing Aerodynamic Interference Software Modules

"This SBIR is intended to develop a high fidelity modeling andsimulation tool to support shipboard rotorcraft operationanalysis. The efforts address not only the enhancement of eachindividual modeling discipline that is related to the simulationof rotorcraft shipboard testing, but also their integration intoa comprehensive simulation environment to allow forrotorcraft/ship interaction. The proposed development willresult in a rotorcraft shipboard operational envelope evaluationtool that can be applied to facilitate the test and evaluationprocess to enhance flight test productivity, reduce cost, andincrease the safety of flight test operations. The proposal emphasizes the high fidelity modeling andsimulation of the aerodynamic and dynamic interaction betweenrotorcraft and ship. The innovations of this proposal aresummarized as: (1) Development of a modeling and simulation tool to supportrotorcraft shipboard operation. This includes advanced modelingof the aerodynamic interference of the rotor wake, the shipairwake, the ship turbulence, and their interaction. It alsoincludes accurate evaluation of the rotorcraft shipboard dynamicinterface testing envelope to effectively support the rotorcraftshipboard test and evaluation process. (2) Development of a comprehensive simulation tool forrotorcraft shipboard operation analysis. This includes modelingand simulation/analysis of the rotorcraft engagement anddisengagement operation, rotorcr