Flight Simulation and Validation of Height-Velocity Characteristics of an Attack Helicopter

Height-Velocity performance testing was accomplished for the newly developed Boeing AH-64E helicopter. Flight testing for the target gross weight revealed a small avoid area. The test points were influenced by the wind and it was difficult to identify the knee point. This paper describes the use of the Boeing flight simulation code, FLYRT, to clearly define the H-V diagram at the test conditions. Simulations of important test maneuvers showed good correlation with measurements, and additional H-V maneuvers were modeled to supplement the points from flight testing. This procedure provided the definition of the test H-V diagram and can be applied to generate further H-V diagrams with confidence. In addition, the AH-64E test aircraft performed a single autorotation-to-landing test point. The FLYRT code was used to simulate this maneuver as well. Good correlation with the test data substantiates the use of the simulation code for future engineering analysis of similar maneuvers