Flutter analysis for rudder considering actuator's dynamics

Missile rudder's flutter characteristics are influenced by the actuator's impedance. Two new methods which can analyze the rudder's flutter stabilities were used respectively in time domain and frequency domain. Stability judgement of the state matrix was required in the time domain method. Actuator's impedance characteristics had to be included by the flutter equation which can only be solved by the improved k method when the frequency domain method was used. The two methods' validity was checked by numerical calculation of a rudder model with an actuator. Traditional way of predicting flutter boundary was also used to analyze the rudder, and the flutter velocity/frequency were different from the new methods' results. It indicates that considering actuator's dynamic characteristics while doing a rudder's flutter analysis is very important.