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

Featured Examples

Fly the De Havilland Beaver

How to model the De Havilland Beaver using Simulink® and Aerospace Blockset™ software. It also shows how to use a pilot's joystick to fly the De Havilland 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.

Open Model

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™.

Open Example

Quadcopter Project

Use Simulink® to model a quadcopter, based on the Parrot® series of mini-drones. To manage the model and source files, it uses Project Management.

Open Example

Developing the Apollo Lunar Module Digital Autopilot

"Working on the design of the Lunar Module digital autopilot was the highlight of my career as an engineer. When Neil Armstrong stepped off the LM (Lunar Module) onto the moon's surface, every engineer who contributed to the Apollo program felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. We had succeeded in our goal. We had developed technology that never existed before, and through hard work and meticulous attention to detail, we had created a system that worked flawlessly." -Richard J. Gran, The Apollo 11 Moon Landing: Spacecraft Design Then and Now

Open Model

Indicated Airspeed from True Airspeed Calculation

How to compute the indicated airspeed from true airspeed using the Ideal Airspeed Correction block. The Aerospace Blockset™ blocks are indicated in red.

Open Model