MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPTIMIZATION IN AIRCRAFT DESIGN USING ANALYTIC TECHNOLOGY MODELS

An approach to multidisciplinary optimization is presented that combin es the global sensitivity equation method, parametric optimization, an d analytic technology models. The result is a powerful yet simple proc edure for identifying key design issues. It can be used both to invest igate technology integration issues very early in the design cycle, an d to establish the information flow framework between disciplines for use in multidisciplinary optimization projects using much more computa tionally intense representations of each technology. To illustrate the approach, an examination of the optimization of a short-takeoff, heav y transport aircraft is presented for numerous combinations of perform ance and technology constraints. The results show explicitly the takeo ff weight penalty for transonic cruise Mach number and the wing sweep variation with cruise Mach number. Conceptual designs can be optimized rapidly with this approach.