AE/Flutter Simulation and Flight Test Correlation of the F/A-18 Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW). Meeting Presentation AIAA-2005-233, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

Gupta, K.K. and Doyle, T. and Hahn, E. (2005) AE/Flutter Simulation and Flight Test Correlation of the F/A-18 Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW). Meeting Presentation AIAA-2005-233, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

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Abstract

The AAW technology program involves multidisciplinary, aero-structural-controls interactions in an optimized fashion that maximizes the performance of a flight vehicle. This is achieved by the use of a more flexible, lighter wing that provides desirable wing twist response at higher speeds and deforms aeroelastically into favorable shapes for optimum performance; in this process the wing produces the control forces. The goal of this program is to generate control laws that will maximize the vehicle performance taking into account the flexibility of the wing. This is a joint flight research program involving NASA, Air Force, Navy and the industry. The AAW program uses an F/A-18 aircraft with suitable modifications of the wing that reduces the torsional stiffness characteristics. Thus the aft upper and lower wing covers were replaced by more flexible ones, made of thinner aluminum and composite skins, as appropriate. Apart from structural changes, modifications were effected in the leading edge flap drive system (LEFDS), the flight control computer (FCC), and the baseline flight control laws. This paper presents the results of a set of aeroelastic and aeroservoelastic analyses of this modified aircraft along with flight test data in support of an ongoing research effort in the area of aeroelastic (AE) model validation and test data analysis.

EPrint Type:	Other
Keywords:	AAW, Active Aeroelastic Wing, Aeroservoelasticity, F/A-18 aircraft, Flutter, Wing twist
Subjects:	(01 - 09) Aeronautics: (05) Aircraft Design, Testing And Performance Aircraft/Project: F-18 AAW
ID Code:	1869
Deposited On:	01 April 2008
Additional Information:	17 pages. Presented at the 43rd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, Nevada, January 10-13, 2005. Gupta, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center; Doyle, Hahn, Analytical Services & Materials, Inc., Edwards, California.