HeldenDesign:An Automated Aircraft Drag Optimization Method Using Knowledge-Based Design Tools

Successful completion of our Phase II effort results in an automated, robust, and rapid aircraft drag optimization method (called HeldenDesign) that is an integral part of our vision to revolutionize the aircraft analysis and design process. HeldenDesign couples NASArsquo;s CDISC knowledge-based design method with an optimization wrapper that automatically varies the inputs to CDISC to enable drag-based optimization. In addition, HeldenDesign simplifies and streamlines the setup of new optimization cases and adds a robust mesh movement capability (through the HeldenMorph toolset that is also developed under our Phase II effort) that solves many of the problems encountered during CFD-based design. The goal of HeldenDesign is to enable rapid and easy to use drag-based optimizations of new aircraft for conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design. We plan to follow this effort with a Phase III effort that culminates withnbsp;commercialization of the HeldenDesign product within 1.5 years of completion of this Phase II effort.nbsp;