Nonlinear dynamic analysis of an F-16 aircraft using GVT data

This paper aims at investigating the nonlinear dynamics of an F-16 aircraft, based upon sine-sweep data collected during a ground vibration test (GVT) campaign. Various analysis techniques, including the mere visual inspection of the time series, the wavelet transform and the restoring force surface method, are utilised and reveal that the F-16 wing-to-payload mounting interfaces exhibit both softening and hardening nonlinearities.