Vehicle Dynamics

Model aerodynamics, propulsion, and motion of aircraft and spacecraft

Construct the dynamics of your system, perform simulations, and understand system behavior under various conditions. Calculate aerodynamic forces and moments along with common flight dynamic parameters. You can also simulate three-and six-degrees-of-freedom equations of motion. Using the blocks in the Pilot Models library, implement pilot crossover, precision, and Tustin models.

  • Aerodynamics
    Compute aerodynamic forces and moments using aerodynamic coefficients, dynamic pressure, center of gravity, center of pressure
  • Equations of Motion
    Implement 3DoF, 6DoF, and point mass equations of motion to determine body position, velocity, attitude, related values
  • Flight Parameters
    Calculate aerospace parameters such as ideal airspeed correction, Mach number, dynamic pressure
  • Mass Properties
    Simulate center of gravity and inertia tensors
  • Pilot Models
    Implement pilot models
  • Propulsion
    Simulate engine system and controller
  • Flight Control Analysis
    Analyze the dynamic response and flying qualities of aerospace vehicles​

Featured Examples

Fly the DeHavilland Beaver

Fly the DeHavilland Beaver

How to model the DeHavilland Beaver using Simulink® and Aerospace Blockset™ software. It also shows how to use a pilot's joystick to fly the DeHavilland Beaver This model has been color-coded to aid in locating Aerospace Blockset blocks. The red blocks are Aerospace Blockset blocks, the orange blocks are subsystems containing additional Aerospace Blockset blocks, and the white blocks are Simulink blocks.

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HL-20 Project with Optional FlightGear Interface

HL-20 Project with Optional FlightGear Interface

This project shows how to model NASA's HL-20 lifting body with Simulink®, Stateflow® and Aerospace Blockset™ software. The vehicle model includes the aerodynamics, control logic, fault management systems (FDIR), and engine controls (FADEC). It also includes effects of the environment, such as wind profiles for the landing phase. The entire model simulates approach and landing flight phases using an auto-landing controller. To analyze the effects of actuator failures and wind gust variation on the stability of the vehicle, use the "Run Failure Analysis in Parallel" project shortcut. If Parallel Computing Toolbox™ is installed, the analysis is run in parallel. If Parallel Computing Toolbox™ is not installed, the analysis is run in serial. Visualization for this model is done via an interface to FlightGear, an open source flight simulator package. If the FlightGear interface is unavailable, you can simulate the model by closing the loop using the alternative data sources provided in the Variant block. In this block, you can choose a previously saved data file, a Signal Editor block, or a set of constant values. This example requires Control System Toolbox™.

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Aerospace Blockset Documentation
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