CFD-Based Multidisciplinary Analysis for Flight Vehicle Simulation and Control

The ability to quickly estimate flight vehicle behavior in an operational environment is important since engineers from a variety of disciplines require accurate predictions in order to plan flight test experiments, expand aircraft operating envelopes safely, and have access to diagnostic methods when problems arise. STARS is the most comprehensive multidisciplinary finite element-based software for design and analysis and as a simulation tool in flight test environment. STARS strength is in its capability to solve combined CFD, Structural, thermal and control problems. In this phase enhancements in capabilities in finite element-based computer programs with application to STARS are proposed. Enhancement of STARS capabilities are achieved through a complete and thorough evaluation of its structural FE compatibility and accuracy using NASTRAN and IDEAS for comparison; development of translator codes to seamlessly link NASTRAN preprocessor PATRAN with STARS; evaluation and enhancement of the current STARS-NASTRAN translator, NSTARS. Validations and enhancements in capabilities in finite element-based CFD with application to STARS are also proposed. CFDSOL module validation for boundary layer flow in variety of cases will be conducted. Methods for CFD-based stability and control derivative extraction will be developed and tested. Verification of newly developed STARS CFD-based ASE simulation capabilities will be conducted.