Automated Updates of Tiltrotor Simulations Using Experimental Data Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Topic No.: N08-013 Topic Title: Automated Updates of Tiltrotor Simulations Using Experimental Data Proposal No.: N081-013-0851 Firm: Barron Associates, Inc. 1410 Sachem Place Suite 202 Charlottesville, Virginia 22901-2496 Contact: David Ward Phone: (434) 973-1215 Web Site: http://www.barron-associates.com Abstract: Aircraft research, development, and testing programs require high-fidelity simulations and aerodynamic models. However, once flight testing begins the process of updating the simulation to match flight-test results is often ad hoc, labor intensive, and costly. Recent research has been investigating data-driven methods for automated and semi-automated updating simulation databases, but this research does not address the unique challenges associated with updating tiltrotor simulations. In the proposed Phase I research, the authors will develop automated methods that (a) determine suitable complexity for a tiltrotor simulation model and (b) tune parameters in that model, including resolving identified parameters down to the component level, where possible. These methods will then be used to updating a complex tiltrotor model using simulated flight data. In Phase II, the authors will extend the tiltrotor approaches to rotorcraft in general, build a suite of database-updating tools, and use these tools to develop and update a high-fidelity tiltrotor simulation using measured flight-test data. For the proposed research, Barron Associates, Inc. has teamed with Systems Technology, Inc. (STI) and Dr. Eugene Morelli; we believe this team has unmatched expertise in rotorcraft modeling, system identification, and automated simulation updating. Benefits: The proposed research will result in methods and a suite of commercial software tools that can be used for automatically updating a variety of complex simulations, including rotorcraft, tiltrotors, etc. These tools will be of immediate benefit to the Navy as well as rotorcraft manufacturers (letters of support from rotorcraft manufacturers are included). Additionally, the methods will be applicable to the automatic generation and updating of simulation models of a variety of complex processes including aircraft, turbine engines, automobiles, etc. Return