Flight Performance Calculation of Rotorcraft in the Conceptual Design Phase

Rotorcraft design involves different disciplines within the aeronautical sciences and due to that it is a highly challenging and complex process. During the last years the German Aerospace Center (DLR) developed an integrated design framework within internal projects. The simulation environment RCE (Remote Component Environment) is used which allows coupling of tools developed by various institutes and distributed calculation on different servers. Therefore, it is possible to place the tools on the hosting institutes for administration and maintenance purposes but still being able to use the tools during the design process. The flight performance calculation is one of the main parts within a sizing loop. To analyze the flight mechanic properties the simulation tool HOST (Helicopter Overall Simulation Tool) developed by Airbus Helicopters was implemented into the process. This paper presents the implementation of HOST into the distributed design environment and the execution of flight performance calculations. The results of the iteration of the required range with the adaption of fuel mass are also shown. Finally, a comparison of a simulation model generated during the presented design process with a validated HOST model is shown.