Real Time Simulation Aerodynamic Updates for Flight Test Support -

Current flight test programs are complete well before data analysis is finished and the simulation is updated. Therefore, lessons learned during the analysis can not directly affect the test program. The proposal suggests using a set of cooperating expert systems, with rules suggested by identification experts, to coordinate a toolkit of fast estimatioin algorithms for real-time or near-real-time systems identification and simulation update. Dynamically schedulling the processes, the expert system decides on model size and structure and prioritizes the estimation procedures based on the current simulation fidelity, the aircraft excitation, to observability/identifiability of the parameters, the importance of the parameters, and the processor time available. The prototype system, developed in Phase II, would provide real-time simulation updates during flight testing for enhanced safety through enriched test pilot training and range monitoring, improved envelope expansion, reduced flight time requirements through directed maneuvers, increased productivity, and reduced cost. Products for embedded health and performance monitoring follow from this project.