Finite Element Modeling of the RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter Tailcone Section Using Patran and Dytran

The United States Army contracted Boeing-Sikorsky to develop the RAH-66 Comanche, a new, armed reconnaissance helicopter that features stealth technology designed to improve survivability when operating in hostile environments. Ballistic testing is required on any new technology, to include the Comanche, prior to fielding. Computer based simulations are being employed to reduce the requirements for expensive live fire testing. This thesis uses computer programs called PATRAN and DYTRAN from MSC Software Corporation to build the model and simulate the effects of an explosive round detonating in the Comanche tailcone section. This thesis describes in great detail the process of creating and modifying the model in PATRAN to most accurately depict the Comanche tailcone section and creating the input decks for DYTRAN to run the analysis. A test case involving an explosion with a high amount of explosive energy, or specific internal energy SIE was simulated. From this test, several results are shown to display the capabilities of DYTRAN. These results, when compared with live fire data, can be used to validate the computer-based simulation in order to reduce the requirements of expensive live fire testing.