Aerodynamics of Helicopter. Application of the Navier-Stokes Codes developed in the framework of the joined German/French CFD Research Programm Chance

Abstract

In research centres and universities, both in US and Europe, considerable effort is being put into the development and validation of advanced CFD methods based on the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations. Within the frame of the French-German project CHANCE (supported by the French DPAC, DGA and the German BMWi), the research institutes ONERA and DLR are enhancing the CHANCE CFD flow solvers (FLOWer and elsA), together with the helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter (in Marignane, France and Ottobrunn, Germany) that is validating them against test cases of industrial interest. These CFD codes are also being integrated in rotor and fuselage design systems at Eurocopter. The validation activity of the flow solvers will be achieved through intermediate stages of increasing geometry and flow modelling complexity, starting from an isolated rotor in hover, and concluding with the complete helicopter configuration in forward-flight. The paper will focus on the results of the activities undertaken by the four partners for the purpose of validating the CFD solvers prediction capabilities about an isolated rotor in hovering and forward flight, and isolated fuselages in forward flight.