All-Electric X-Plane, X-57 Mod II Ground Vibration Test

Abstract

As part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration New Aviation Horizons initiative to demonstrate and validate future high-impact concepts and technologies, the X-57 Maxwell airplane -the first all-electric X-plane -was conceived to advance research in the area of electric propulsion to show the feasibility of minimizing fuel use, reducing emissions, and lowering noise during flight. Through several configuration modifications to the X-57 airplane, validation of electrical-powered flight with increasing efficiency between each modification when compared to the baseline original airplane is anticipated. In the case of the X-57 Modification II airplane, a ground vibration test was needed to identify the airplane structural modes and use them to update and validate the finite element model. To determine the airworthiness of the airplane, the updated finite element model will be utilized to investigate both classical and whirl flutters. The X-57 Modification II ground vibration test was performed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Armstrong Flight Research Center Flight Loads Laboratory. This paper will highlight the testing performed to acquire the modal data as well as the results.