Sub-Scale Investigation of Coupled Rotor/ Upwind Ship Aerodynamic Interactions

A sub-scale investigation of rotorcraft/ship aerodynamic interactions was conducted in the summer of 2022 by U.S. Army DEVCOM AvMC on behalf of NAVAIR. The Coupled Rotor/Upwind Ship Aerodynamic Interaction Data (CRUSAID) test was conducted at 1/48th-scale in the U.S. Army 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel with a full-span tiltrotor, a single main rotor helicopter, and an LPD-17 San Antonio Class ship. The test objectives were to quantify the impact of the aerodynamic interactions on aircraft performance and trim as a function of rotorcraft position, orientation, and wind relative to the ship, and to acquire velocity flow field measurements for analysis validation and empirical model development. Principal data acquired include the force and moment reaction of the aircraft, mean surface pressures on the ship flight deck and hangar face, and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements of the flow field. This paper provides an overview of the test approach and execution and a presentation of selected results illustrating the variation in aerodynamic interaction impacts along different approach paths to recovery aboard ship.