Comparison and Analysis of a Tiltrotor UAM Configuration by Using NDARC

Abstract

For its high-speed cruise flight performance and vertical take-off and lift (VTOL) capability, tiltrotor configurations are being looked upon as the most reliable among the proposed eVTOLs. However, since UAM aircraft development is mainly led by industries, there are few studies that deal with the effect of rotor configuration as a major parameter within design of eVTOL. Therefore, this study aims to identify the effect of change in rotor configurations on eVTOL tiltrotor weight composition and mission performance, at conceptual design level. NASA Design and Analysis of Rotorcraft (NDARC), a rapid multi-disciplinary conceptual design program, will be utilized for the procedure. Three configurations based on NASA reference tiltrotor models will be presented, and optimal configuration in terms of weight and performance will be determined. In order to identify the reliability of such results, wing-nacelle structural analysis model will be constructed based on existing literature. By undergoing static structural and modal analyses, the model will be verified to be utilized for whirl flutter analysis.