Air vehicle optimisation
Dr John Harris,
QinetiQ Farnborough
Abstract
Structural and Multi-disciplinary Design Optimisation (MOO) is used extensively within QinetiQ in support of both military and civil air vehicle design studies. Typically a key objective for this type of design optimisation activity is to minimise the empty vehicle mass, whilst satisfying a wide range of requirements such as range, packaging, stability, control etc. Future air vehicle design is becoming even more challenging as a result of more stringent environmental constraints (reducing fuel burn and emissions) combined with the demand for cost reduction and faster time to market. Exploitation of novel structural and material configurations within the overall air vehicle design optimisation activity will play a critical role in meeting these challenging requirements. This presentation will outline some of the approaches which can be used to achieve low mass air vehicle configurations, which satisfy a wide range of other requirements. Where appropriate this will be illustrated by reference to past and current examples.