Scaled Transonic Dynamic Aeroelasticity Through Wind Tunnel Testing (ST-DAWTT)

ABSTRACT: Under this collaborative effort, Creative Aero Engineering Solutions (CAES) and its academic partner University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) are pleased to team on the research entitled"Scaled Transonic Dynamic Aeroelasticity through Wind Tunnel Testing (ST-DAWTT),"consisting of a novel approach for characterizing the transonic aeroelastic environment of a full-scale fighter in the wind-tunnel (WT). Under phase I, the team will explore the feasibility of such an environment though the design of aeroelastically scaled wind tunnel models. At least one of the models will serve as a benchmark of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) tools. The experimental data sets obtained during Phase II will enable the designer to optimize aeroelastic stability margins and control effectiveness in the early stages of conceptual and preliminary design, replacing costly trial and error approaches. This capability will not only result in more optimal designs, but will also mitigate the risks associated with the development of future high-speed aircraft by avoiding aeroelastic surprises during flight tests. The documented process shall be rendered robust and repeatable to the point of fast and affordable"on-demand"manufacturing for future commercialization purposes during Phase III. BENEFIT: Commercial applications involve : * Enhanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods for non-linear fluid structure interactions (unique capability to transition to government and aerospace industry) * Fast wind-tunnel aeroelastic wind-tunnel model manufacturing capabilities that could be generalized to design, validaion, and testing of full scale morphing Uninhabited Air Vehicles ( UAV)