Towards multidisciplinary design optimization of next-generation green aircraft

Abstract

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most important challenges of the next future. The aviation industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint and improve its sustainability. This work is framed within the Italian national project “MOST- Spoke 1 - AIR MOBILITY - WP5,” which studies innovative solutions for next-generation green aircraft. This paper proposes a multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) framework for the design of new-generation green aircraft. Several propulsion solutions are analyzed, including fully electric and hydrogen fuel cells. The Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) framework considers several disciplines, including aerodynamics, structures, flight dynamics, propulsion, cost analysis, and life-cycle analysis for facing at the best the design challenge of next-generation green aircraft.