Energy Based Aerodynamic Modeling: Increasing Fidelity of Fixed-Wing Constructive Entities

Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) is an ideal setting for practicing Beyond Visual Range air-to-air tactics. Hardware and software limitations often dictate the use of simplified aerodynamic models for control of fixed wing constructive entities within synthetic environments. In many tactical situations the long range fight will disintegrate into close-in air combat, which for a variety of reason is difficult to represent in virtual simulators. The eXperimental Common Immersive Theatre Environment (XCITE) developed at Warfighter Readiness Research Division (AFRL/HEA) was designed to provide a physics based high-fidelity threat environment for training and rehearsal in a DMO environment. Feedback by operational pilots identified unrealistic constructive flight performance as a critical shortfall of XCITE. Here we will discuss the development, testing and validation of an energy based aerodynamic model in an effort to provide a more effective threat environment for DMO. Specific Excess Power (Ps) tables were created using thrust, drag, lift and loading data for each aircraft; these tables then provide accurate acceleration figures that are feed back into the original aero-model. In testing, aircraft flight performance was compared against data obtained from aerodynamic models in both 6-DOF Full Mission Trainers and the baseline XCITE aero model.
Presented at Spring Simulation Multiconference, SpringSim 2007, Norfolk VA on 29-29 Mar 07, and published in proceedings of the same, v3 p327-336. ISBN 1-56555-314-4. The original document contains color images.