Towards improved understanding of aerodynamic impact of helicopter on ship deck flow environment using SDI model

An early estimation of the ship-helicopter dynamic interface flow environment is one of the most challenging and precarious tasks in any naval organization across the globe. The First-Of-Class Flying Trials (FOCFT) is one of the most common methods to evaluate the complexities associated with the ship-helicopter dynamic interface. These trials are very expensive and highly demanding, with added limitation that these can be conducted only after post-construction of the ship and restricting the scope of any further design modifications. This study presents an investigation to gain understanding of the aerodynamic impact of helicopter on shipboard flight deck flow physics under a ship-helicopter dynamic interface flow environment. The prime goal of this work is to investigate the influence of helicopter downwash aerodynamics over the ship flight deck using the simplified dynamic interface (SDI) model. A parametric analysis has been conducted for three identified rotor configurations at different crossflow conditions. The paper reports the influence of rotor ground effect over the flight deck region in terms of the downwash airflow characteristics, variation of rotor plane velocity gradients and the airwake existing over the flight deck region. Finally, an attempt has been made to grade the effect of ground on a ship-helicopter dynamic interface for safeguarding the helicopter operations.