Ideas, Integrated Design and Analysis System 680728

IDEAS (Integrated Design and Analysis System) is a new approach directed toward the rapid definition of design loading conditions and internal structural element loads needed for the sizing and analysis of the primary structure of an entire aircraft. It is an integrated collection of many different kinds of computer programs and formalized calculations which are performed in particular sequence. Complete integration is of prime significance. Output data from any one kind of computer program is in the precise format required as input for subsequently used programs of the system. System capability is sufficiently broad to provide state-of-the-art analysis procedures for both variable-sweep supersonic aircraft and fixed-wing subsonic aircraft. It treats all applicable flight maneuvers, landing and catapult conditions, taxiing conditions, gust and flutter analyses.

The system enables calculation of all applied air, inertia and ground loads, together with all internal structural load distributions, within time periods which are extremely short compared to otherwise available industry capability. An industry and literature survey has shown that such loads were not obtained in less than 2 or 3 years for recently flown, high performance aircraft. It is predicted that such final external and internal loads will now be made available from IDEAS in less than 4 or 5 months.