Rotorcraft simulations with coupled flight dynamics, free wake, and acoustics

This study presents the integration of a flight simulation code (PSUHeloSim), a high fidelity rotor aeromechanics model with free wake (CHARM Rotor Module), and an industry standard noise prediction tool (PSU-WOPWOP) into a comprehensive noise prediction system. The flight simulation uses an autonomous controller to follow a prescribed trajectory for both steady and maneuvering flight conditions. The aeromechanical model calculates blade loads and blade motion that couple to the vehicle flight dynamics with suitable resolution to allow high fidelity acoustics analysis (including prediction of blade-vortex interaction (BVI) noise). The blade loads and motion data is sent to PSU-WOPWOP in a postprocessing step to predict external noise. The coupled analysis is being used to evaluate the influence of flight path on aircraft noise certification metrics like EPNL and SEL for various rotorcraft in work for the FAA. The software was used to analyze the acoustic properties of a blade planform similar to the "Blue Edge" rotor blades developed by DLR and Airbus Helicopters - predicting BVI noise reduction as compared to more conventional blade geometries on the same order as that reported for the "Blue Edge" rotor.