Flexible modeling of parafoil delivery system in wind environments

Wind disturbances usually affect the motion states and aerodynamic distributions of a parafoil, changing the dynamics of the delivery system and deteriorating the control accuracy. This paper establishes an accurate flexible dynamic model for a parafoil delivery system in wind environments. Combined with identified wind fields, an accurate aerodynamic model is established, using aerodynamic coefficients calculated by fluid–structure interaction simulations to ensure its validity under crosswind effects. Good agreement between results of simulations and experiments demonstrates the accuracy of the dynamic responses. The model can be applied to the research of precise control algorithms for real parafoil systems.