Simulating conceptual and developmental aircraft

This paper presents results of a new capability to perform real-time simulation of conceptual and developmental aircraft. The objective is to seamlessly perform real-time simulation of arbitrary aircraft configurations whose geometric, inertial, and aerodynamic characteristics are either specified or estimated using conceptual design software, and then flown with a pre-existing flight control architecture that does not require gain scheduling or redesign. This new capability is first examined by comparing design estimates with known characteristics of an existing aircraft. The results correlate well with known inertial and closed-loop dynamic characteristics, however limitations are noted in the estimates of the aerodynamics. Another aircraft examined is that of a concept designed to fly on the surface of Mars. Although correlation data does not exist for this aircraft, the results indicated the conceptual Mars aircraft exhibits well behaved closed-loop dynamic characteristics with some coupling noted in the directional axis that may be attributed to spiral instability. These results represent a first step towards the completion of an integrated tool to simulate conceptual and developmental aircraft.