Preliminary design of a mach 6 configuration using MDO

Abstract

The paper presents a multidisciplinary optimization (MDO) process for the analysis of configurations with engines strongly integrated into the airframe. The coupled treatment of several physical disciplines like aerodynamics, flight mechanics, propulsion and structure is discussed taking into account the major steps of a flight envelope of a hypersonic transport aircraft like transonic acceleration, hypersonic cruise and subsonic landing. The technique is successfully applied optimizing a Mach 6 transport aircraft considering a single as well as multiple flight conditions. In both cases the optimization technique allows to improve the cruise range of the vehicle. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.