Further Validation of Simulated Dynamic Interface Testing Techniques as a Tool in the Forecasting of Air Vehicle Deck Limits

Abstract : Validation results are discussed and compared in confirming the tendency of certain parameters being well represented by simulation with the actual at-sea result. The primary objective of this field of study is to determine the feasibility of applying full motion simulators and plug and play simulations in support of dynamic interface at-sea testing and experimentation. Several years of simulated flight test programs using the Merlin CAE Trainer System at RNAS Culdrose (UK) and the Manned Flight Simulator at Naval Air System Command, Aircraft Division at Patuxent River, Maryland have been conducted. A typical simulation consists of modular "plug and play" components contributed by the project participants assembled in a High Level Architecture (HLA) with the combined components reflecting the ship environment, the long and short term prediction methodologies and the ship's response mechanism. The use of 6 degree-of-freedom motion flight simulator to forecast physical deck motion and deck motion limits, is discussed. In the manned version, the simulated flight test has several objectives including assess the capabilities of the Cockpit Dynamic Simulator (CDS) to support Ship-Helicopter Operational Limit (SHOL) / Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) limits demonstrate High Level Architecture (HLA) with selected modules; and determine feasibility of applying these simulators in support of dynamic interface at-sea testing. The unmanned and manned systems studied focused on specific simulated aircraft-ship interface responses. An application of this simulation is the forecast of deck limits computed by the motion characterization of a platform in terms of, and as a function of, the deflection of landing gear configured for vertical landing aircraft or rolling vertical landing.