Modelling and Simulation Study of a Helicopter with an External Slung Load System

0*, F. Zhang**
* Faculty of Advanced Technology, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, UK
** Faculty of Health, Sport and Science, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, UK
Periodicity:November - January'2013
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jic.1.1.2077

Abstract

This paper describes the mathematical modelling, analysis and simulation study of a helicopter with an external slung load system. The primary feature of the proposed model is the use of a helicopter model that consists of a six-degree of freedom and combined with a three-dimensional motion load model. Considering the two models, a mathematical model for a helicopter carrying an external load is obtained. The combined system model can be used for stability analysis and controller development to improve flight handling quality and system performance. Stability analysis of the system was carried out via simulation. Simulation results revealed that the stability of the helicopter is significantly reduced due to the presence of an underslung load.

Keywords

Modelling, Stability, Helicopter-load System.

How to Cite this Article?

Thanapalan, K., and Zhang, F. (2013). Modelling and Simulation Study of A Helicopter with an External Slung Load System. i-manager’s Journal on Instrumentation and Control Engineering, 1(1), 9-17. https://doi.org/10.26634/jic.1.1.2077

References

[1]. Thanapalan, K.K.T., Wang, J., Padfield, G.D., & Nuttall, K. (2002). An Appreciation of the dynamics of a helicopter system with an external slung load, Proceedings of the EPSRC PREP Conference.
[2]. Thanapalan, K.K.T., Wang, J., & Nuttall, K. (2003). A Study of helicopter dynamics with an underslung external load. Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Systems Engineering.
[3]. Anonymous, (1996). Handling qualities requirements for military rotorcraft, ADS-33-D, U.S. Army aviation and Troop Command, St.Louis, MO.
[4]. Fusato, D., Guglieri, G., & Celi, R. (1999). Flight dynamics of an articulated rotor helicopter with an external th slung load. Proceeding of the 55 Annual forum, American Helicopter Society.
[5]. Gubbels, A. W.(2001). Preliminary slung load investigation on the NRC Bell 412 Advanced systems research aircraft, Journal of the American helicopter society, 46(2), 161 – 165.
[6]. Cicolani, L.S., Sahai, R., Tucker, G.E., McCoy, A.H., Tyson, P.H., Tischier, M.B., & Rosen, A. (2001). Flight test identification and simulation of a UH-60A helicopter and slung load, NASA/TM-2001-209619, USAAMCOM-TR-01-A- 001.
[7]. Sahai, R., Cicolani, L.S., Tischiler, M.B., Blanken, C.L., Sullivan, C., Wei, M.Y., Sun Ng, Y., & Pierce, E.L. (1999). Flight-time identification of helicopter-slung load frequency response characteristics using CIFER, Proceedings of the AIAA GNG conference.
[8]. Tyson, P.H., Cicolani, L.S., Tischler, M.B., Rosen, A., Levine, D., & Dearing, M. (1999). Simulation prediction and flight validation of UH-60A Black Hawk slung load characteristics, In Proceeding of the 55th Annual forum, American Helicopter Society.
[9]. McCoy, A.H. (1998). Flight testing and real-time system identification analysis of a UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter with an instrumented external slung load, NASA/CR-1998- 196710, RTOP-581-30-22.
[10]. Bisgaard, M., Bendtsen, J.D., & Harbo, A.J. (2009). Modeling of Generic Slung Load System. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 32(2), 573 – 585.
[11]. Reddy, K. R., Truong, T. T., Stuckey, R. A., & Bourne, K. J. (2007). Dynamic Simulation of a helicopter carrying a slung load, In Oxley. L., and Kulasiri. D. (Eds.), MODSIM 2007, Proceedings of the International Congress on Modeling and Simulation, 2740-2746
[12]. Stuckey, R.A. (2001). Mathematical modeling of helicopter slung-load systems, Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), Australia, Technical Report, TR-1257.
[13]. Shaughnessy, J.D., Deaux, T.N., & Kenneth, R.Y. (1979). Development and validation of a piloted simulation of a helicopter and external sling load, NASA Technical paper 1285, NASA-LRC.
[14]. Sheldon, D.F. (1977). An appreciation of the dynamic problems associated with the external transportation of loads from a helicopter- state of the art. Vertica, 1, 281 - 290.
[15]. Watkins, T.C., Sinacori, J.B., & Kesler, D.F. (1974). Stabilization of externally slung helicopter load. USA AMRDL TR-74-42.
[16]. Thanapalan, K.K.T. (2010). Modeling of a Helicopter System. Proceedings of the First Virtual Control Conference.
[17]. Padfield, G.D. (1981). A theoretical model of helicopter flight mechanics for application to piloted simulation. Royal Aircraft Establishment, TR/81048.
[18]. Padfield, G.D. (1996). Helicopter flight dynamics, Blackwell science Ltd.
[19]. Khalil, K.H. (1996). Nonlinear Systems, 2 Ed., Englewood Cliff, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
[20]. Fletcher, J.W. (1995). A model structure for identification of linear models of the UH-60 helicopter in hover and forward flight, NASA/TM 110362.
[21]. Thanapalan, K.K.T., & Wong, T.M. (2010). Modeling of a helicopter with an under-slung load system. Proceeding of 29th Chinese Control Conference.
[22]. Prouty, R. (1986). Helicopter Performance, Stability and Control. PWS Publishers.
If you have access to this article please login to view the article or kindly login to purchase the article

Purchase Instant Access

Single Article

North Americas,UK,
Middle East,Europe
India Rest of world
USD EUR INR USD-ROW
Online 15 15

Options for accessing this content:
  • If you would like institutional access to this content, please recommend the title to your librarian.
    Library Recommendation Form
  • If you already have i-manager's user account: Login above and proceed to purchase the article.
  • New Users: Please register, then proceed to purchase the article.