Airframe structural design, analysis & testing
Structural engineering support for aerospace airframes — from early design collaboration through static and dynamic test campaigns. Every deliverable is written to the flight-clearance bar established over 35+ years of NAVAIR work on high-performance target systems.
Methodology
- Load path development. Trace primary and secondary paths, identify eccentricities, and quantify how loads redistribute under damage or off-nominal cases.
- Margin analysis. Closed-form and FEM-informed margins with clearly stated assumptions, allowables, and knockdowns.
- Test planning. Static and dynamic test plans with instrumentation strategy, load introduction fixtures, and success criteria linked to the analytical model.
- Test execution support. On-site technical presence, pre-test readiness reviews, real-time anomaly triage, and post-test correlation.
Typical deliverables
- Structural analysis reports with traceable assumptions and margin tables.
- Test plans, procedures, and instrumentation lists suitable for review authorities.
- Post-test correlation memos and lessons-learned that feed the next design iteration.
- PDR / CDR structural review packages.
When to bring RMD in
Early enough to shape the load path — not just to sign off on it. Independent structural review before a milestone, a second opinion on a contested margin, or a test campaign that has to hold up in front of a customer are all typical starting points.