Dynamic Simulation, Validation, and Aeromechanical Analysis of Novel UAS Concepts

This Army Research Laboratory Research Associateship Program (ARL-RAP) opportunity involves aeromechanics research and development in support of real-time dynamic modeling and simulation of small to mid-scale autonomous Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The work typically involves implementation, validation, and application of first-principles methods for rotor mechanics to capture static and dynamic response, power requirements, handling qualities, and additional parameters of interest for novel UAS configurations. Focus areas include steady level typical flight regimes in addition to less understood regimes including ground effect, aerodynamic interaction, aggressive maneuvering, and transitioning flight. Research goals could also incorporate machine learning or empirical corrections based on system identification and/or sub-system experimentation to improve simulation results, as well as making improvements to the code for computational efficiency gains. The ARL-RAP is designed to significantly increase the involvement of creative and highly trained scientists and engineers from academia and industry in scientific and technical areas of interest and relevance to the Army.