Modern Water Tunnel Experimental Techniques and Apparatus- AeroArts is currently upgrading existing water tunnels with a dynamic model support and force and moment balance. The facilities, when completed, will allow features of the flow to be visualized and recorded simultaneously with force and moment measurements during six-degree-of-freedom maneuvers.

Maneuvering Rotorcraft Aerodynamics- AeroArts, under a Small Business Innovation Research award from NASA Ames Research center, is developing techniques for measuring dynamic characteristics of rotarywing vehicles. Rotary-wing vehicles proposed for improved system capacity must meet civil global aviation requirements for safety, efficiency, and affordability. To achieve the needed advances, greatly improved modeling is required. Many advances have been made in measuring dynamic characteristics of rotary-wing vehicles, however, innovative advances are needed in methods to capture the dynamic and cross-coupling effects that are still a challenge and impediment to rapid design cycles. A very recent advance in test techniques utilizes water as a test medium for dynamic testing. This method circumvents many of the problems presented by air as a medium, by allowing testing in slow motion, by separating model and test support frequencies, by greatly improving signal-to-noise ratios, and by allowing the traditional advantages of the familiar water tunnel or channel, with its unparalleled flow visualization. The ability to predict maneuvering aerodynamics and stability parameters early in the development cycle will reduce the time, risk, and cost of new rotorcraft. The method also applies to high performance aircraft development.

Visualization and Quantification System for Modeling Unsteady Aerodynamics for Aircraft Simulations-AeroArts, under a Small Business Innovation Research award from the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, is developing an experimental test method to improve data accuracy for simulation and prediction of unsteady aerodynamics. The method will capitalize on the advantages of testing in water by utilizing a new model support and balance system. Accurate force and moment data and flow visualization records of models undergoing motions in up to six degrees of freedom will be collected simultaneously. Effects of time delays, hysteresis and other unsteady and nonlinear phenomena will be included. These effects will be examined using parameter identification methods, both in the time and frequency domains. The method with its hardware and software will have application to markets for both military and commercial aircraft development and to education and research facilities.

Fighter Flight Mechanics and Flight Control- AeroArts is assisting a major manufacturer with the development and test of a high performance fighter aircraft by analyzing the flight mechanics and handling qualities of the configuration.

Flight Research and Test Support- AeroArts personnel have been providing support to NASA Dryden Flight Research Center for the APEX, Active Aeroelastic Wing, and Intelligent Flight Control System programs.