Modeling and simulation of airship dynamics

This paper proposes a modeling approach for the nonlinear dynamics simulation of airships. The flight mechanics, aerostatics, and aerodynamics are incorporated into the model. A comprehensive estimation method is provided for the aerodynamics, including added-mass terms, viscous effect, forces on the fins, forces on the hull due to the fins, and axial drag. A simulation program is developed from the dynamics model and applied to analyze the control responses of the Skyship-500 airship. A comparison between the simulation and flight test results for different control inputs shows that the dynamics simulation gives a reasonable estimation of the flight behavior. The dynamics model is then linearized using a finite difference approach and the linear model is applied to investigate the stability of longitudinal and lateral motion at various speeds. With the trust gained from validation, the dynamics model and simulation program can be used to evaluate the flight and control performance of other airships.