A master of engineering report. Lubbock: Texas Tech University. 2002. – 75 p.This paper will introduce flight vehicle simulation as a powerful tool to be used in the design, development, and testing of aircraft and missiles. Some tenets applicable to simulation in general are discussed, but the specific application of interest is digital modeling of flying vehicle characteristics and dynamics.
Though the art and science of simulation has some pitfalls and disadvantages, with care these can be overcome. The potential advantages and cost efficiencies to be gained through the use of simulation far outweigh the drawbacks. Detailed, full mission simulation is essential to the development of modern missile and airplane projects, both because of their typical complexity and their tremendous cost. Many details of integrating hardware, software, and electronic components of an aircraft or missile system cannot be fully appreciated until the integration process begins. Likewise, many issues surrounding the flight of such complex systems cannot be accounted for through static analysis and must be studied during and after the first few flights of a new system. Simulation allows for these processes to be better understood in the design and development phases of a program, saving both time and money, and contributing to flight safety during flight test.
The author’s experience with simulation and modeling includes programming, maintaining, and using large digital simulations of the C-130J and C-5 military transport airplanes and the Tactical Tomahawk cruise missile. In both cases, simulation tools were invaluable during development and testing of the flight vehicles.
On the C-130J program, simulation was used to prepare for flight test, to familiarize pilots with new features in the aircraft, and in one case to perform testing for certification credit. On the Tactical Tomahawk program, simulation was integral in every aspect to the development program. Simulation was used to design guidance and control algorithms, to test embedded software, to exercise new hardware components, and to design test missions to extract maximum value from each flight.Content:.
Introduction.
Background.
Why Simulation?.
Disadvantages of Simulation.
Advantages of Simulation.
Appropriate Circumstances for Employing Simulation.
Types of Simulation.
All-Software Simulation.
Software-in-the-Loop Simulation.
Hardware-in-the-loop Simulation.
Performance Prediction Simulation.
Utility of Simulation.
Simulation Availability.
Subsystem Requirements Development.
Software Development and Test.
Subsystem Integration and Test.
Pilot Training.
Marketing and Public Relations.
The Simulation Computer Program.
Structure and Components.
Models.
Aerodynamics.
Flight Controls.
Propulsion.
Atmosphere and Winds.
Terrain and Earth.
Sensors.
Tools.
Equations of Motion.
Solver.
Solver Study.
Solver Options.
Linear Model Study.
Large Scale Non-Linear Model Considerations.
Solver Conclusions.
Summary.
Definition of Terms and Acronyms.
References.
Appendix A. Matlab Code Written for Solver Study.
