BAE Systems has been using modelling and simulation capabilities for more than two decades in the development and integration of combat vehicles and technology, and now this technology is being used with a human in the loop for the development of hybrid electric drive systems for future vehicles.
The technology uses high-fidelity, physics-based models running in real time which allow engineers to quickly evaluate how a vehicle responds as the driver in a simulator operates the vehicle on cross-country terrain. Using this approach, future vehicles are accurately evaluated and optimised in a realistic environment before a hardware prototype is built. As the performance of the vehicle is simulated, engineers can see in real time how their hybrid electric drive concept is performing.
“We invested our own funds to develop a capability that can now be applied to the designs of future vehicle programs,” says Bahram Fatemi, manager of modelling, simulation, analysis and test for BAE Systems in Santa Clara, USA. “This capability provides us with information that is closer to real operational performance and allows us more flexibility in designing vehicles and subsystems. Our human-in-the-loop environment enables us to evaluate design concepts in a very short time which allows us to cost-effectively develop new vehicle prototypes in record time.”
Using the BAE Systems human-in-the-loop development tool, designers have real time access to all engineering and design data to help them optimise their hybrid electric drive concepts. Engineering teams can monitor key data such as how the battery is charging and the traction drive system is performing, then evaluate the overall performance of the vehicle.
For more information, visit www.baesystems.com
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