A novel Co-simulation method for the analysis of carrier-based aircraft ski-jump takeoff dynamics

Ski-jump takeoff is currently one of the primary takeoff methods for carrier-based aircraft, and many factors need to be considered. The loads on the aircraft’s landing gear exhibit high-frequency and large-amplitude characteristics during takeoff, posing higher requirements for the accuracy of landing gear system modeling and load calculation. To address this, a novel co-simulation method is proposed to analyze the dynamic response during ski-jump takeoff. A detailed rigid-flexible coupling finite element model at the component level for the carrier-based aircraft is established. The stability of the model and the accuracy of finite element method are verified through a drop test. Combining with the flight dynamic model, a co-simulation platform is built, realizing the connection of the finite element method and flight dynamics. Based on deck wind field test data, the influence of deck wind on the ski-jump takeoff performance of carrier-based aircraft is studied. The simulation results indicate that the co-simulation method proposed can effectively analyze the complex dynamics response of carrier-based aircraft during ski-jump takeoff. Deck wind field affects the dynamic characteristics of the ski-jump takeoff process of carrier-based aircraft, which is not only reflected in the flight trajectory, but also reflected in the load of the landing gears. This provides a valuable reference for the dynamic response analysis of carrier-based aircraft during takeoff and the design of carrier-based aircraft system.