AERODYNAMIC COMPUTATIONS OF COMPLEX 3-DIMENSIONAL CONFIGURATIONS

The three-dimensional ECOPAN code was developed at ONERA to meet a wide variety of demands, including those of the European Ariane and Airbus programs. For these types of configurations, the panel method approach is still the most efficient, as it uses only a surface grid, which is relatively easy to generate. Also, recent developments of the method have now made it possible to evaluate such complex configurations aerodynamically in reasonable computing time. Typical configurations are a complete launch vehicle in takeoff phase or a complete aircraft with engines operating and high lift devices extended. In these two cases, the ECOPAN code has demonstrated its versatility, its operational status, and its aptitude to perform parametric analyses in subsonic flows: The interaction of the Hermes shuttle with the lower part of the Ariane 5 launcher has been correctly expressed. The lift increase due to the ground effect for an Airbus in takeoff has been estimated.