Numerical Simulations of an Installed Rotor in Prescribed and Free Flight Maneuvers

This study develops a dynamic mesh framework for simulating rotorcraft in prescribed and free-flight maneuvers by coupling high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with a six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) flight dynamics model. The CFD solver uses a hybrid RANS–LES approach on unstructured meshes to capture complex flow behaviors across various regimes. Aerodynamic loads computed by the CFD solver are transferred to the 6-DOF model to update the vehicle’s position and orientation. A dynamic mesh framework is developed to investigate the vehicle’s flight dynamics. The current work provides a basis for high-fidelity rotorcraft dynamics studies, with further extensions to incorporate advanced flight-control models for assessing vehicle response and operational safety.