Numerical vs. experimental assessment of optimization effects on aerodynamic performance of ERICA tiltrotor fuselage

Abstract

The results of a CFD-based optimization over a 1/8-scaled model of the ERICA tiltrotor fuselage are compared against experimental data obtained from an extensive wind tunnel campaign carried out at the RUAG facilities, as part of the DREAm-Tilt project funded by the Joint Technology Initiative Clean-Sky program. In particular, the effects of optimized geometries of nose, wing/fuselage junction, sponsons and empennages for drag reduction are investigated. The assessment proved the consistency of the optimization approach and the optimized ERICA geometries as experimental validation was successfully obtained.