Strategy For Modeling of Large A/C Fluid Systems

There is an ongoing trend in the European Military a/c industry towards cooperation between nations when purchasing and between manufacturers when developing and producing a/c. Different manufacturers at different locations develop different parts or sub-systems. When using this approach a vital part of a fast and precise system evaluation is the use of simulation models. In order to stay competitive it is not only sufficient to be able to build large simulation models but also to do it fast.

This paper describes the conclusions regarding a modeling strategy of large fluid systems drawn from the building of a simulation model of the JAS 39 Gripen fuel system. An overall process is suggested into which the activities of building a model are fitted. This is however not the main objective; it is more important to identify the different issues and activities at the engineering level. If these are properly dealt with, the model development time will be reduced, if not, the wrong model may be designed. ‘Wrong’ here means a model that does not do the job, or solves a problem other than the one intended by the stakeholder.