Modeling Complex Automatic Flight Controls for Helicopter Systems

The U.S. Army is currently developing a Second Generation Comprehensive Helicopter Analysis System (2GCHAS) to provide significant improvements in helicopter analysis capability, but it is currently restricted to simplified flight control system models. The technical objective of the Phase I work is to develop a specification and conceptual design for advanced control system modeling capabilities in the 2GCHAS that will be compatible with current 2GCHAS architecture and allow the user to adopt familiar control system block diagrams to generate flight control system models. Proposed herein is a two-stage process providing advanced flight control system (FCS) modeling capabilities in the 2GCHAS. In the first stage, the analyst would also utilize the high level control system graphical design interface, TUTCAD, for the TUTSIM block diagram simulation program. This procedure would generate a TUTSIM FCS model file that could be checked out in an open-loop fashion utilizing the control system modeling program TUTSIM prior to the second stage of the FCS design process: full-scale analysis and simulation using 2GCHAS. The second stage of the FCS design process will be addressed in Phase I by developing a specification of the necessary modifications to the Technology Input Processor (TIP) Computer Program Configuration Item (CPCI), developing a specification for necessary modifications to the Technology Complex, developing a specification and conceptual design for the version of TUT MACHINE tailored to the 2GCHAS architecture to support the FCS module, developing maneuver command modules for the FCS CPCI, and combining the above specifications into a comprehensive specification and conceptual design for the advanced FCS CPCI for 2GCHAS.