Airship Sim 2


Based on AUV Sim, Airship Sim was developed for testing and optimisation of the autopilot control modes and interaction with sensors for autonomous or remotely operated airships. The simulator models the motion of the vehicle in six degrees of freedom and can be configured to simulate a particular vehicle, via an intuitive user interface.

As with AUV Sim, the simulator display can be used as the Remote Control Workstation software for control and monitoring during trials. This is also useful during the testing phase, when the vehicle can be controlled and monitored by one session of Airship Sim, sending messages directly to the actuators or to the on-board autopilot, whilst a second parallel session takes the actuator positions and calculates the resulting motion of the vehicle.

In addition to the features of AUV Sim, Airship Sim includes:

  • Realistic six degree of freedom simulation, including:
    • Buoyancy effects, variation of air density with height,
    • Ground collision simulation
    • 'Added mass' calculation
    • Environmental models, including wind profiles at different heights
    • Instrument models, including pitot tube airspeed measurement,
    • Specific machinery models, including 2-axis swivelling ducted fan.
  • Control algorithms include height and attitude control, as well as speed, heading, track and hovering control.

An autopilot controller board, incorporating the controller algorithms, was developed in collaboration between H Scientific and Chelsea Technologies Group. The Spectre Processor Board provides 3D control for the airship and is capable of communicating with Airship Sim in its role as a remote control workstation.


Applications include:

For more information, please use the Enquiries form.

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