TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems, Space Platforms

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA - 290, Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a methodology for simulating large commercial transport aircraft at unusual attitudes, typically experienced during an aircraft upset. This methodology should be applied to a representative Navy aircraft (P-8A) and utilized to develop a robust simulation which should accurately represent aircraft response in these extremes. Simulation capabilities would then extend to flight dynamics analysis and simulation, as well as potential training applications.

DESCRIPTION: Militarized versions of commercial platforms are growing in popularity due to many logistical benefits in the form of COTS parts, established production methods, and commonality for different certifications. Commercial data and best practices are often leveraged to reduce procurement and engineering development costs. While the benefits are clear, these militarized aircraft are operated at significantly different conditions and in significantly different manners than their commercial counterparts in flight. Therefore they are at much higher risk of flight envelope exceedance. This risk may lead to departure from controlled flight and/or aircraft loss.

The risk of departure from controlled flight for military aircraft is mitigated by piloted simulation training and engineering analysis of typical aircraft response. Military aircraft simulation databases are developed to include high angles of attack (AoA) and sideslip due to the dynamic nature of their missions. Current FAA certification for commercial aircraft simulators allow for considerable extrapolation of wind tunnel data from low AoA and sideslip conditions out to these more extreme attitudes. Extrapolated data does not typically capture the complex aerodynamics and physical phenomena present at extreme attitudes and results in a non-representative simulation at these conditions. Such extrapolation has been acceptable for the commercial community and the FAA, due to the assumed low probability of experiencing these conditions during a typical commercial flight profile. The poor quality of extrapolated wind tunnel data for highly dynamic maneuvers is compounded by the fact that accounting for scaling factors in large commercial-type aircraft is extremely complex. This results in simulation databases which are of very low fidelity at, or near, stall and departure conditions.

The flight environment of a military aircraft, in addition to the flight conditions, is also significantly different from that of a commercial aircraft. The military flight environment includes additional considerations and threats such as extreme weather conditions or Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS). Current commercial simulations do not have any representation of damage due to ballistic impact, a condition which could also lead to upset conditions and possible aircraft loss due to departure. Furthermore, increased pilot workload in threat environments has historically uncovered aircraft deficiencies. Such deficiencies likely have not been discovered in the benign commercial environment. While loss of aircraft has numerous intangible effects, the financial loss of a single aircraft could top $150M, which would be a significant impact to today�s conservative budgets.

Without high fidelity modeling and simulation of upset conditions, commercially derived military aircraft are at significantly higher risk for departure and loss. Innovative solutions to aerodynamically model large commercial aircraft for upset conditions such as high AoA, high sideslip, and ballistic damage, as well as capability to accurately account for scaling factors, is necessary to develop realistic engineering and training simulations. Such simulations should significantly reduce the risk of departure from controlled flight, loss of aircraft, and ease the flight clearance process. The characteristics of commercial derivative aircraft are exemplified by the P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) aircraft, and the largest benefits of initial investigation are likely to be yielded from this platform. Innovative modeling techniques should be applied to a 737 airframe to augment planned pilot training. The database produced would also be utilized by flight dynamics engineers.

PHASE I: Review state of the art modeling methodology and commercial loss of control accidents. Accident data can be found via internet sources (Ref 1-7), including the NTSB. Identify AoA and sideslip expansion ranges of interest for upset conditions, above and beyond current modeling and training systems. Propose a methodology to obtain aircraft forces, moments, and all applicable data required for simulation at these expanded AoA and sideslip conditions. Determine the feasibility of an innovative approach for model development and simulation of large commercial aircraft for these attitudes with specific application to 737-NG and P-8A. Propose methods for validating data collection and implementation of data into engineering and training simulations.

PHASE II: Collect and validate aircraft forces, moments, and all associated applicable data for simulation development. Typical collection methods include wind tunnel investigation, CFD analysis, and/or in flight investigation. Typical methods could be supplanted by innovative methodology that aligns with current NAVAIR practices in certifying and testing military aircraft. Develop a prototype simulation tool which allows for analysis of aircraft flight dynamics in extreme attitudes, as well as pilot training.

PHASE III: Transition the technology to applicable programs such as the P-8A and other large commercial aircraft. Provide simulation testing support to ensure accuracy of modeling and demonstrate functionality to government engineers.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This database development has potential application in the training of commercial transportation and shipping pilots to adapt to extreme altitudes sometimes encountered in unusual atmospherics or due to aircraft system failures and ballistic damage. A number of incidents including, but not limited to, USAir flight 427, AA flight 587, and the DHL cargo flight missile impact have prompted industry interest in upset training. Preliminary courses have been developed and employed, but none with the fidelity proposed herein. A potential reduction in commercial aircraft loss due to loss of control accidents is apparent and desired.

REFERENCES:
1. Foster, John V., et al., "Dynamics Modeling and Simulation of Large Transport Airplanes in Upset Conditions," AIAA-2005-5933.

2. Wilborn, James E., and Foster, John V., "Defining Commercial Transport Loss-of-Control: A Quantitative Approach," AIAA-2004-4811.

3. Cunningham, Kevin, et al., "Simulation Study of a Commercial Transport Airplane During Stall and Post-Stall Flight," SAE Technical Paper Series 2004-01-3100.

4. Shah, Gautam H., et al., "Wind-Tunnel Investigation of Commercial Transport Aircraft Aerodynamics at Extreme Flight Conditions," SAE Technical Paper Series 2002-01-2912.

5. NTSB, "Accident Investigation Docket: USAir Flight 427, September 8, 1994, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, DCA94MA076," May 1997. 17 Sept. 2007. http://www.ntsb.gov/Events/usair427/items.htm

6. TSB, "Aviation Investigation Update, Loss of Rudder, Airbus 310-308, Air Transat Flight 961, Veradero, Cuba 06 March 2005 #A05F0047," June 2005. 17 Sept. 2007. http://www.tsb.gc.ca/en/reports/air/2005/a05f0047/a05f0047_update_20050504.asp

7. NTSB, "Accident Investigation Docket: American Airlines Flight 587, Belle Harbor, NY, Nov 12, 2001, DCA02MA001," Oct 2004. 17 Sept 2007. http://www.ntsb.gov/events/2001/AA587/default.htm

KEYWORDS: Upset Recovery; MMA; P-8A; Upset; 737; Simulation

TPOC: (301)342-8523
2nd TPOC: (301)342-0282

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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