Research on Obstacle-Crossing Characteristic for Air Cushioned Transport Aircraft

In order to improve the transport aircraft ability to cross obstacles on complex runway, a study was conducted on the characteristics of a military personnel transport aircraft modified with an air cushion landing system (ACLS) for ground obstacle-crossing. Based on the ideal gas equation of state and finite element division, the cross-section of the trunk is simplified and its shape is predicted, based on which the pressure distribution in the cushion is calculated. The effect of the boss, ditch and one-sided ramp on the distance of the centre of gravity from the ground, vertical acceleration, pitch angle and cushion pressure when the air cushioned transport aircraft (ACTA) crosses the obstacle is investigated by adding the obstacle runway function to the calculation of the distance from the ground of the air cushion micro-element, and the mechanism of its influence is analysed. The simulation results show that when the height of the obstacle reaches 70–80% of the height of the airbag, the ACTA can still pass the obstacle runway safely, which reflects the effectiveness of the modified ACLS in improving the transport aircraft ability to cross the obstacle.