Leveraging Modeling and Sensitivity Studies for Improving Aerodynamic Predictions for Multirotor Aircraft

The NASA Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology project aims to support and guide the development of vertical flight vehicles for the benefit of the U.S. rotorcraft community and to increase the quality of life of the public. As part of this effort, the Multirotor Test Bed (MTB) – designed and built by NASA – has been tested twice at the U.S. Army 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center in 2019 (MTB1) and 2022 (MTB2). This study utilizes MTB2 experimental data for sensitivity studies on rotor aerodynamic performance of a quadrotor configuration using two mid-fidelity tools, the Comprehensive Hierarchical Aeromechanics Rotorcraft Model (CHARM) as well as Blade Element Theory based disk modeling in the OVERFLOW CFD solver. Additionally, this study leverages analyzing computational rotor performance predictions with experimental data to help identify future test configurations for the upcoming MTB3 test in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel.