Smart Aircraft Conceptual Design in Multidisplinary Design Optimization

• The advancements to NASA's Vehicle Sketch Pad (OpenVSP 3.0) completed in 2014 evolved the software into a useful parametric graphics tool for serious aerospace design and analysis. ESAero's Phase I effort built off of the momentum gained from these advancements by providing a selection of features that complemented the newly available capabilities, such as additional visualization tools, component models, parameter links, and a parasite drag tool. The goal of this Phase II proposal is to build on the successes of the Phase I effort and take large steps to increase OpenVSP's utility as a conceptual and preliminary design tool, and validate through the design and development of a long-endurance UAV. Phase II will tackle several large tasks that will elevate OpenVSP to an entirely new level. These tasks address long-held desires from industry and further promote OpenVSP's integration into the aircraft design workflow by fostering more analysis tools and exportability to third-party programs— such work includes the exciting tasks of building a new aerodynamics package and allowing OpenVSP models to be opened in drawing tools like AutoCAD. By keeping the software open source, OpenVSP 3.0 and the proposed upgrades will serve as an industry-wide standard parametric geometry tool.