Modeling the OH-6A Using FLIGHTLAB and Helicopter Simulator Considerations
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Calhoun: The NPS Institutional Archive Theses and Dissertations Thesis Collection 2002-03 Modeling the OH-6A using FLIGHTLAB and helicopter simulator considerations Ouellette, Gregory A. Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School http://hdl.handle.net/10945/6038 NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL Monterey, California THESIS MODELING THE OH-6A USING FLIGHTLAB AND HELICOPTER SIMULATOR CONSIDERATIONS by Gregory A. Ouellette March 2002 Thesis Advisor: E. Roberts Wood Second Reader: Russ W. Duren Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instruction, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188) Washington DC 20503. 1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATE 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED March 2002 Master’s Thesis 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE: Title (Mix case letters) 5. FUNDING NUMBERS Modeling The OH-6A Using FLIGHTLAB And Helicopter Simulator Considerations 6. AUTHOR(S) Gregory A. Ouellette 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION Naval Postgraduate School REPORT NUMBER Monterey, CA 93943-5000 9. SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSORING / MONITORING N/A AGENCY REPORT NUMBER 11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government. 12a. DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENT 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 13. ABSTRACT (maximum 200 words) Recent technological advancements in robust computer hardware, simulation modeling technology, newer electronic actuators and advanced computer graphics have enabled manufacturers to develop low cost, affordable helicopter flight simulators. This thesis presents detailed information on the U.S. Army Hughes OH-6A “Cayuse” helicopter together with a comprehensive model of the aircraft suitable for high fidelity simulator modeling. Fidelity of the model is obtained through use of commercial off-the-shelf software that is incorporated in a low-cost flight simulator, which is marketed as FLIGHTLAB. The FLIGHTLAB development system facilitates rapid design and analysis of a high fidelity helicopter model using non-linear dynamic modeling techniques. The simulator model of the Hughes OH-6A helicopter is presented and its fidelity is compared to actual fight test data conducted at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, MD. Advancements in electromagnetic actuators and visual rendering systems are also presented to provide insight into the direction simulator technology is progressing. 14. SUBJECT TERMS 15. NUMBER OF Helicopter flight simulation, modeling, analysis and design. Hughes OH-6A helicopter PAGES 177 16. PRICE CODE 17. SECURITY 18. SECURITY 19. SECURITY 20. LIMITATION CLASSIFICATION OF CLASSIFICATION OF THIS CLASSIFICATION OF OF ABSTRACT REPORT PAGE ABSTRACT Unclassified Unclassified Unclassified UL NSN 7540-01-280-5500 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-89) Prescribed by ANSI Std. 239-18 i THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK ii Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited MODELING THE OH-6A USING FLIGHTLAB AND HELICOPTER SIMULATOR CONSIDERATIONS Gregory A. Ouellette Lieutenant, United States Navy B.S., Purdue University, 1992 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING from the NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL March 2002 Author: Gregory A. Ouellette Approved by: E. Roberts Wood, Thesis Advisor Russ W. Duren, Second Reader Max F. Platzer, Chairman Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics iii THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK iv ABSTRACT Recent technological advancements in robust computer hardware, simulation modeling technology, newer electronic actuators and advanced computer graphics have enabled manufacturers to develop low cost, affordable helicopter flight simulators. This thesis presents detailed information on the U.S. Army Hughes OH-6A “Cayuse” helicopter together with a comprehensive model of the aircraft suitable for high fidelity simulator modeling. Fidelity of the model is obtained through use of commercial off-the- shelf software that is incorporated in a low-cost flight simulator, which is marketed as FLIGHTLAB. The FLIGHTLAB development system facilitates rapid design and analysis of a high fidelity helicopter model using non-linear dynamic modeling techniques. The simulator model of the Hughes OH-6A helicopter is presented and its fidelity is compared to actual fight test data conducted at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, MD. Advancements in electromagnetic actuators and visual rendering systems are also presented to provide insight into the direction simulator technology is progressing. v THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK vi TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................1 A. BACKGROUND ........................................................................................1 B. TECHNOLOGICAL PROBLEM ............................................................2 C. SIMULATOR TECHNOLOGIES ...........................................................2 1. Helicopter Mathematical Modeling..............................................3 2. Visual Systems ................................................................................3 3. Motion Base....................................................................................3 4. Control Loaders .............................................................................3 II. MOTION SYSTEMS.............................................................................................5 A. OVERVIEW...............................................................................................5 B. SIMULATOR MOTION CUES ...............................................................5 C. HYDRAULICS VS ELECTRICAL.........................................................6 D. MOTION PLATFORMS..........................................................................8 E. MOTION SEATS .......................................................................................9 F. CONTROL LOADERS...........................................................................10 III. VISUAL SYSTEMS.............................................................................................13 A. OVERVIEW.............................................................................................13 B. IMAGE GENERATORS.........................................................................13 C. VISUAL SIMULATION SOFTWARE .................................................14 1. Visual Scene Rendering Tools.....................................................15 D. DISPLAY SYSTEMS..............................................................................15 1. Collimated Display Systems ........................................................16 a. Monitor Bases ...................................................................16 b. Panoramic Displays..........................................................17 2. Dome and Mosaic Displays .........................................................18 3. Helmet Mounted Displays ...........................................................19 IV. HELICOPTER MATHEMATICAL MODELING (FLIGHTLAB) ..............21 A. OVERVIEW.............................................................................................21 1. FLIGHTLAB Development System Overview..........................21 B. SCOPE LANGUAGE..............................................................................23 C. FLIGHTLAB MODEL EDITOR (FLME)............................................24 1. Symbology.....................................................................................25 2. Top Level Modules.......................................................................25 a. Solution Parameters..........................................................26 b. Environment......................................................................26 c. Rotor1 (Main Rotor) .........................................................26 d. Rotor2 (Tail Rotor)............................................................26 e. Wing (Composite Rotorcraft)............................................26 f. Airframe.............................................................................26 g. External Body (Swing Loads)...........................................26 h. Propulsion.........................................................................27 vii i. Flight Controls..................................................................27 3. Tables............................................................................................27 D. CONTROL SYSTEM GRAPHICAL EDITOR (CSGE) .....................27 1. CSGE Usage..................................................................................27