|
|
|
|
|
Bihrle Applied Research Inc. is a world-class aerospace technology company specializing in the testing and simulation of aircraft. Bihrle's integration of industry wide experience, creativity, and technology has revolutionized the acquisition, reduction and application of test data in high fidelity simulations. Since 1973, Bihrle has supported the development of the latest military and civil aircraft configurations with these unique capabilities and has been recognized throughout the industry for their contributions.
Bihrle Applied Research Inc. (BAR) won Phase I and Phase II SBIR contracts to improve the state of the art in developing simulations of air vehicles flying in close formation. In this effort, BAR is addressing Air Force needs in two areas, flight model development and simulation tools. The development of models for close formation flight has historically been based on computational aerodynamics. While this approach is good for preliminary estimates, it results in oversimplification of the characterizing of aerodynamic phenomena.
This over-simplification often leads to the development of low-fidelity modeling. During its Phase II work, BAR developed test techniques, apparatus, and data acquisition software that can be used during wind tunnel tests to measure aircraft aerodynamic characteristics while in close formation. Data from wind tunnel tests utilizing this improved technology can be used to refine preliminary computational estimates and refine algorithms. It can also be implemented directly into simulation models.
The second issue BAR addressed during Phase II is the need for advanced simulation tools for close formation flight. Based on its D-Six PC-Based simulation environment (a product of an SBIR Phase I in 1995), BAR is developing a comprehensive simulation capability that allows users to load multiple independent simulations into a single application. This capability allows the Air Force to develop a single flight model and reuse it during a single simulation session. Using two (or more) simulations loaded into the environment, an engineer may apply a global control algorithm to a simulated formation flight scenario. Until now, development sessions like these have required multiple simulations running on multiple computers or a single complex simulation structure. The advanced simulation capability being developed by BAR will greatly simplify the complex task of modeling multiple vehicles, while requiring less development time for engineers.
This technology is being used to enable aerial refueling of the UCAV (X-45) under the AAR (Autonomous Aerial Refueling) program. Wind tunnel testing has been conducted on a generic UAV behind a KC-135R (simulating USAF refueling) and behind an F-18 (simulating Navy "buddy" refueling). Further tests are planned with the X-45 as the receiver aircraft. Results from these tests will be incorporated into the new D-Six software package developed under this SBIR. UAV's that are capable of aerial refueling will be able to stay on station much longer or fly greater distances, increasing mission effectiveness and reducing forward basing requirements.
Billy Barnhart
Bihrle Applied Research Inc.
400 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 216
Jericho, NY 11753
Phone: (516) 433-0710
Website: http://www.bihrle.com/
Email: bbarnhart@bihrle.com
