High-Order Aeromechanics Model Support for Rotorcraft Conceptual Design

Conceptual design tools for rotorcraft are used to size vehicles for intended flight operations, as well as reveal trends on the relative benefits certain configuration choices have on the resulting aircraft performance. This information is useful for indicating potentially valuable areas for further technology development that would enhance rotorcraft capabilities. These tools must therefore contain models of subcomponents that are sufficiently accurate to capture current rotorcraft technology performance metrics, but with suitably simplified models to permit rapid re-calculation as befits an optimization scheme. If subcomponent models are insufficient or lacking, they may be built up using simplified models or empirical relations derived from more detailed, comprehensive codes. This approach permits the rapid analysis turn-around required of a sizing program while still capturing the trending information available from the more detailed analysis tool. In the proposed Phase I program, CDI plans to use its full-span free wake analysis tool, the CHARM Module, to investigate approaches for adding this analysis capability to rotorcraft conceptual design software, specifically to extend options for aerodynamic performance modeling, computation of handling qualities metrics, and assessment of acoustic emissions. NASA has recently made available a sizing code named NDARC (for NASA Design and Analysis of Rotorcraft), which has a modular framework to permit the inclusion of different or additional subcomponent models in its operation as proposed here for development. Phase I will investigate the addition of these features in that conceptual design code as a convenient demonstration of the viability of this approach.

The proposed additions to NDARC would expand its analysis options and provide additional assessment of preliminary rotorcraft designs for their handling qualities and acoustic footprint. These metrics may be incorporated back within NDARC to provide an additional internal criterion for the design optimization process.

Industry and other government users of NDARC would benefit from the added analysis capabilities, while CDI would extend its analytical tools for rotorcraft modeling and assessment to other NDARC users.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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