3-D Smart Aircraft Conceptual Design Tool

ABSTRACT: Design, Analysis and Research Corporation (DARcorporation) proposes to develop a 3-D visualization and modification environment as well as higher fidelity modeling capability based on defined geometry to be incorporated into the Advanced Aircraft Analysis (AAA) software. AAA is a conceptual aircraft design and analysis tool using semi-empirical and physics based methods. It is used for military (fighters, bombers, UAV"s), commercial and general aviation aircraft. These higher fidelity models include simplified analyses for aerodynamic characteristics, structural integrity and weight & balance considerations based on the amount of information that is known in the preliminary design stages. All of these capabilities will be incorporated into a multidisciplinary optimization tool to aid designers in defining a configuration that warrants further investigation and/or detailed design. As more information is known about the configuration better decisions can be made, resulting in better/more efficient designs in less time. This technology will allow smaller design teams to develop initial concepts that can then be seamlessly transferred to the detailed design groups and reduce the time required taking a conceptual design all the way to detailed design. BENEFIT: It is expected that design cost will significantly decrease using this system. More configurations can be analyzed in less time. Ease of use will prevent errors and improve time to market. The commercial potential is a design tool that is for sale. It can also be used at universities to teach airplane design.