RIF Selected for NASA Transformational Tools & Technologies Program

In a significant development, Research in Flight has been selected for the NASA Transformational Tools & Technologies Project, part of the esteemed Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program by the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. The proposal titled “Modular Generalized Framework for Assessing Aircraft Aero-Propulsive, Stability, and Control Characteristics” stands out in the field of aeronautics research.

In collaboration with Auburn University, Alabama, Research in Flight is set to offer a high-fidelity, physics-based conceptual design framework. This framework addresses the complex challenge of modeling stability and control characteristics in unconventional aircraft geometries. It’s particularly tailored for the emerging sectors of Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), Urban Air Mobility (UAM), and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

The aim of this joint proposal is to develop physics-based methods that provide higher fidelity than empirical methods, while still being computationally efficient for the conceptual design phase in the UAM, DEP, and UAS sectors. The successful completion of this research is anticipated to significantly enhance the modeling, simulation, and analysis capabilities during the conceptual design phase, particularly in understanding the flight dynamics, stability, and control of unconventional fixed-wing aircraft designs.

Author: Vivek Ahuja