Reduced Order Aeroservoelastic Models with Rigid Body Modes, Phase II

Complex aeroelastic and aeroservoelastic phenomena can be modeled on complete aircraft configurations generating models with millions of degrees of freedom. Starting from a freely supported version of the model, a two-step model reduction process is proposed to create aeroelastic models that include rigid body dynamics. In the first step, proper orthogonal decomposition at a set of flight conditions reduces the model order from millions to hundreds of degrees of freedom. In the second step, a linear matrix inequality further reduces the order and creates a linear parameter varying reduced order model. The model includes a trimmed and parameterized description of aeroelastic forces valid over a region of the flight envelop. The same model can be used for rapid simulation and for linear parameter varying flight control design. Feasibility of this two-step process has been demonstrated in the Phase I work and a plan has been developed for a prototype implementation. Specific improvements to the rigid body model, technical risks in the development effort, and a risk reduction plan have been identified. An X-56A vehicle model will be developed and then used to demonstrate the model reduction process and to demonstrate applications including a linear parameter varying flight control system. More »