Study of the Impact of Aerodynamic Model Fidelity on the Flight Characteristics of Unconventional Aircraft

Abstract

The article presents a study on the influence of aerodynamic model fidelity on dynamic characteristics. The Simulation and Dynamic Stability Analysis (SDSA) package was used to calculate the dynamic characteristics, using both eigenvalues (linearized model) and a time history approach (nonlinear model). The tests were carried out for a rocket aircraft designed in a tailless configuration with a leading edge extension and rotating side plates. Due to these features, the rocket plane can be classified as an unconventional configuration, which requires special attention. Aerodynamic characteristics of the rocket plane were measured in a subsonic wind tunnel and calculated using Euler model equations-based software (MGAERO) and low-order potential-flow code (PANUKL). The paper presents the results of dynamic analysis in the form of standard modes of motion characteristics. A comparison of dynamic characteristics calculated using a set of aerodynamic data with different fidelity is shown and discussed. Both longitudinal and lateral cases were included. The presented results show that the potential methods, considered old-fashioned and despite many simplifications, are still an attractive tool and can be used to analyze even complex, unconventional configurations.