A new comprehensive analysis tool for the preliminary design and design evaluation of helicopters - the CORAL project

Abstract

Designing modern VTOL vehicles is a complex task that demands the interaction of disciplines such as flight mechanics, structural analysis, aerodynamics, dynamics and control, aeroelasticity, power systems and avionics. In addition, aeroacoustics has also become crucial as the certification authorities enforce to the manufacturers more restrictive environmental noise impact concerns. The project CORAL (Comprehensive Rotorcraft Analyses Lab) is concerned with the integration of all these disciplines, except for power systems and avionics, into a single easy-to-adapt and user-friendly simulation tool that allows for comprehensive analyses of not only conventional helicopter configurations but also nonconventional VTOL vehicles.