Analysis, Design, & Optimization of the Helicopter Active Control Technology (HACT) Flight Control System

This paper outlines the analysis, design, and optimization of the Helicopter Active Control Technology (HACT) Flight Control System (HFCS). The HACT program’s use of a high fidelity aircraft model and advanced design tools and methods is reviewed. The Control Designer’s Unified Interface (CONDUIT®) environment is utilized as the keystone of the HACT Program’s advanced design methodology task. The HACT CONDUIT model of the HFCS, the linear aircraft model, and the analytical metrics and handling qualities specifications are explained. The airframe model is a high fidelity linear representation of the AH-64D generated using Boeing’s Blade Element FLYRT (BEFL YRT) modeling and simulation tool. The linearization process and verification of the model are discussed. The HACT analytical handling qualities metrics are used in CONDUIT to evaluate the HFCS and to optimize the control law parameters. The current results of the analysis and optimization are presented.