Next Generation Flight Simulation Aerodynamic Modeling of Rotary-Wing Aircraft Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Topic No.: N08-013 Topic Title: Next Generation Flight Simulation Aerodynamic Modeling of Rotary-Wing Aircraft Proposal No.: N081-013-0479 Firm: Continuum Dynamics, Inc. 34 Lexington Avenue Ewing, New Jersey 08618-2302 Contact: Daniel Wachspress Phone: (609) 568-0444 Web Site: www.continuum-dynamics.com Abstract: Continuum Dynamics, Inc., has recently developed innovative, real-time physics-based models of rotary-wing aerodynamics for flight simulations that improve upon previously used math models. By directly modeling the physics of rotary-wing aerodynamics in real-time, these models provide high fidelity with minimal tuning and are straightforward to update for new aircraft. In fact, extensive validation has established the ability of these new methods to accurately predict many key aerodynamic metrics without any reliance on test data. The new models have already been incorporated into simulation and analysis software by all major U.S. rotorcraft manufacturers. The effort proposed here is to extend these models from rotor and rotor wake aerodynamics to include full aircraft aerodynamics, including the fuselage, empennage and wing, for both tiltrotors and conventional helicopters. A three-pronged effort is proposed involving, (1) expansion of existing methods to include real-time physical models of all aircraft component aerodynamics, (2) incorporation of new models into government and industry tiltrotor simulations and (3) development of an automated process for fine-tuning the models for precise recovery of flight test data. Emphasis will be on developing flexible, robust, modules easy to install across multiple simulation platforms and scalable to improve in fidelity as computer hardware improves. Benefits: This SBIR effort presents a low risk means to significantly enhance the physical fidelity of Navy tiltrotor aircraft flight simulations while vastly reducing the development cost associated with updating these models for new aircraft. Incorporating the proposed aerodynamic modules into Navy flight simulations will provide unprecedented high fidelity modeling of aircraft systems at the edge of flight envelope and beyond, in areas where obtaining flight test data is at best hazardous and at most impossible. New, physical, real-time modeling of wake/fuselage interactions and fuselage/wing aerodynamics will provide a marked improvement over math models currently in Navy flight simulation trainers. The modular approach will greatly facilitate technology transfer through enhancement of existing Navy flight simulation software instead of replacement. The use of physical models and automation of the update process will greatly simplify the extension of the models to new systems, reducing cost. The physical models will also minimize the amount of proprietary data required from manufacturers for each new aircraft being modeled in the future. The proposed effort should significantly improve the quality of Navy tiltrotor flight simulations and trainers, directly supporting the NAVAIR enterprise to maximize the safety and well-being of the Naval aviator. Beyond the anticipated benefits to the U.S. Navy, the proposed effort will also be of great value in commercial applications. All major U.S. rotorcraft manufacturers currently license CDI's rotorcraft aerodynamic modeling technologies and have incorporated these technologies into their rotor analyses and flight simulation software tools. Enhancements developed within the proposed effort would directly pass through to these rotorcraft manufacturers as well as government and educational institutions performing rotorcraft-related research. The technology transfer for commercial applications will lead to an elevation in capability and fidelity of commercially available rotor and tiltrotor aerodynamic modeling and simulation tools, and provide immediate benefits in improved new aircraft design and commercial flight simulations. Return