Research on nonlinear instability of blended-wing-body aircraft based on experimental bifurcation analysis

Focusing on the nonlinear instability problem of the blended-wing-body aircraft, first, numerical bifurcation analysis is adopted to obtain catastrophe points and branches where the elevator is taken as a continuous parameter. Second, based on virtual flight tests and bifurcation theory, an experimental bifurcation analysis method is developed. Open-loop and closed-loop experiments are carried out, and the corresponding experimental bifurcation diagrams are obtained. The comparative analysis shows that the experimental bifurcation analysis enables the aircraft to make a response that is close to reality under the influence of nonlinear and unsteady aerodynamics and has a more intuitive embodiment of instability characteristics, providing an accurate prediction of departure. The open-loop experiment predicts a sudden longitudinal nose-up at an angle of attack of 7.4°. The closed-loop experiment can transform the open-loop unstable branch into a stable branch. However, roll instability still occurs at a critical angle of attack of 16.0°. These research results provide important dynamic information for the stable flight and the design of the controller.