Simulation and Flight-Testing of Pitch & RPM Thrust Control for eVTOL Aircraft

The DAR-VSDDL team proposes to accelerate the development of full-scale eVTOL aircraft configurations. • The research proposed by the team is intended to accelerate the development timeline of full-scale eVTOL aircraft via subscale flight testing, with aerodynamics, propulsion, flight dynamics, and controls being the primary areas of focus. • In Phase I, the team will perform flight tests to expand the flight envelope of the RAVEN-RRTV to include transitions between vertical flight mode (VFM) and forward flight mode (FFM). This cost-effective, easy-to-manufacture, and easy-to-repair subscale platform will provide the team with valuable flight test data while minimizing financial cost and risk. It is anticipated that NASA Langley researchers will publish results from RAVEN-SWFT flight tests in the Phase I timeframe, offering the opportunity to compare flight data between two similarly sized vehicles, one using variable-pitch propulsors and the other fixed-pitch. • To demonstrate the applicability of the technical approach to more than one vehicle configuration, the team will modify the RAVEN-RRTV to give a 4+1 lift-plus-cruise configuration, which will also be flight-tested during Phase I to yield additional flight data for subsequent analysis. • During Phase II, DARcorporation will use vehicle with a higher maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 55 lb and correspondingly larger dimensions which matches the Phase I configuration. The design work for this larger configuration will occur in Phase I. The flight data from the flight tests in Phase II will allow the team to develop and verify scaling relationships between the two subscale vehicles. These relations and the results from the Phase I and Phase II flight tests will allow for prediction of performance and dynamics of larger vehicles. • For each subscale vehicle, as well as the full-scale configurations, time-domain flight simulation models will be Successful completion of this research will yield products and outcomes that have broad relevance to NASA programs, projects, and goals at multiple levels: 1.Directorate level: This proposal primarily supports NASA ARMD Strategic Thrust 4: Safe, Quiet, and Affordable Vertical Lift Air Vehicles, with side benefits for Strategic Thrust 1: Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Operations and Strategic Thrust 3: Ultra-Efficient Subsonic Transports. The most direct effect is on near-term (2020-2035) outcomes but is also an enabler for mid-term (2035-2045) and far-term (2045+) outcomes. 2.Program level: This proposal supports the Advanced Air Vehicles Program (AAVP) and Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP) objectives by facilitating evaluation of advanced technology vehicles that enable revolutionary air travel efficiency and environmental impact improvements. 3.Project level: This proposal supports the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (AAVP/RVLT) Project through research that will accelerate the development of full-scale eVTOL aircraft.

Successful completion of this research will yield products and outcomes that have broad relevance to NASA programs, projects, and goals at multiple levels: • Directorate level: The proposal primarily supports NASA ARMD Strategic Thrust 4: Safe, Quiet, and Affordable Vertical Lift Air Vehicles, with side benefits for Strategic Thrust 1: Safe, Efficient Growth in Global Operations and Strategic Thrust 3: Ultra-Efficient Subsonic Transports. The research proposed has the most direct effect on the near-term (2020-2035) outcomes, while also serving as an enabler for mid-term (2035-2045) and far-term (2045+) outcomes. • Program level: The proposal supports the Advanced Air Vehicles Program (AAVP) and Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP) objectives by facilitating evaluation of advanced technology vehicles that enable revolutionary air travel efficiency and environmental impact improvements. • Project level: Under AAVP, this proposal supports the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) Project through research that will accelerate the development of a revolutionary air transportation solution and the Advanced Air Transport Technology (AATT) Project through research enabling revolutionary energy efficiency through electrified propulsion. Under TACP, the proposal supports the Transformational Tools and Technologies (TTT) Project through the simulation and flight-testing tools used, and also the Convergent Aeronautics Solutions (CAS) Project through the confluence of multiple disciplines and the rapid period of performance. The proposed technology can facilitate eVTOL aircraft design and development in the whole UAM industry, which has a vast potential for non-NASA commercial applications. The proposed solution can help with private companies such as Joby, Archer, Airbus, Supernal, Wisk, Vertical, Volocopter, etc. The proposed technology can also be adapted for un-manned eVTOL aircraft development, which usually pose a similar flight test challenge.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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