As an aviation enthusiast, I used to spend time trying to create new airplane concepts thanks to 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA.
For demonstrating the power of our Platform, "for fun" and for Design Contest.
My last project is a new stealth, supersonic, twin-engine, twin-tail and variable-sweep wing (or "swing wing") UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aircraft Vehicle). I called it PEGASUS.
Codename: PEGASUS - Step 1
Using CATIA Assembly Design and Generative Shape Design Applications, I first designed the external shape of this new UCAV, as a "usual" variable-sweep one for aircraft carrier based operations and missions.
That is to say that the wing can have two positions:
- a straight wing one, which is more efficient for low-speed flight (mandatory for landing on an aircraft carrier)
- a wing with an angle / a swept wing one, needed for high speed.
Then, I started integrating some existing systems I already have in 3D: the landing gears and the two engines...
... then developed a Digital Mock-Up of the wing structure (thanks to CATIA Part Design App)...
... and added some fasteners inside this structure thanks to CATIA Fastening App.
Of course, everything has been design using the Relational Design methodology
This first design step accomplished, I decided to create some real-time experiences to test and validate my concept integration, thanks to 3DEXCITE Planet Studio and Creative Experience,
on the French Navy Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier
but also on the CVN-69 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier
and finally on a french airbase.
Of course, for fun and for my pleasure, I also "put my concept in flight", the rendering in 3DEXCITE of CATIA 3D data is just amazing...
For those who are interested in looking at this UCAV concept in 3D, here are the data.
Codename: PEGASUS - Step 2
I also had a dream when starting designing this concept:
what about adding a third position for the wing, a forward-swept one ?!?
That was then the second part on my project, starting of course from Step 1 data that I have "repainted" in dark grey.
After several design iterations, I managed to create this design that I like a lot.
The forward-swept wing (tested years ago on the Grumman X-29) is maybe not the most aerodynamically efficient, but it brings a real futuristic touch to fighter plane design.
Coming back to my previously created real-time experiences, I enhanced them by creating a virtual in-flight patrol of these two concepts.
