A Fixed-Wing Aircraft Simulation Tool for Improving DoD Acquisition Efficiency

摘要

The HPCMP CREATE-AV Kestrel software product is a modularized, multidisciplinary, fixed-wing virtual aircraft simulation tool incorporating aerodynamics, structural dynamics, kinematics, and kinetics. Kestrel allows cross-over between simulation of aerodynamics, dynamic stability and control, structures, propulsion, and store separation. It's written in modular form with a Python infrastructure to allow growth to additional capabilities as needed. The current version of Kestrel is being used extensively in the government aircraft acquisition process and is being evaluated by industry for suitability to aircraft acquisition. Current capability is demonstrated for a maneuvering aircraft coupled with control surface movements, aeroelastic effects, store separation, and cargo deployment. In addition, several future capabilities currently in prototype are discussed.