A novel dynamics modeling method for the heavy cargo airdrop based on reduced multibody system transfer matrix method

Abstract Airdrop technology transfers cargo to a predetermined location using a parachute deceleration system. Relevant researchers establish multibody system dynamics models using ordinary dynamics methods to simulate different particular airdrop system configurations, which require global dynamics equations. The system matrix order is equal to the number of degrees of freedom of the airdrop system. The reduced multibody system transfer matrix method (RMSTMM) is developed to model and simulate airdrop system in this paper, which avoids the symbolically deriving dynamics equations. It does not require global dynamics equations and has high programming and computing efficiency. The effectiveness of recursive algorithm of RMSTMM is validated. The multibody system dynamics modeling and simulation for the whole process of a heavy cargo airdrop are presented by the dynamics topology figures. The variation regularity of displacement, velocity, attitude angle, and overload of the cargo under windless and windy conditions are analyzed. The paper develops a theoretical foundation for rapid modeling, simulation, design, and optimization for the heavy cargo airdrop.