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

One of the primary shortcomings identified during the NASA-sponsored CFD Vision 2030 Study was that multi-disciplinary design optimization (MDO) constitutes a principal bottleneck in the workflow process as it requires significant human intervention. A resulting main goal from the study was to increase the level of automation in the CFD design process to reduce required labor, shorten the time-to-design, and bring about more widespread usage of CFD in industry. Development of an automated, robust, and rapid aircraft drag optimization method is an integral part of our vision to revolutionize the aircraft analysis and design process by enabling the utilization of high-fidelity CFD earlier in the design process – where most of the design decisions are made that effect aircraft life cycle costs. To address these limitations, we are developing a new design method called HeldenDesign that enables an automated, robust, and rapid drag-based optimization capability. HeldenDesign couples NASA’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 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. Our effort builds upon SBIR Phase II progress to make HeldenDesign process easier and faster to use, improves the resulting CFD solution accuracy, and demonstrates it for a representative design application.

The successful completion of this effort supports all NASA programs and projects that use CFD for the design and development of advanced aircraft concepts, launch vehicle design, and planetary entry vehicles. The technology developed under this project will enable improved design decisions by Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) and Human Exploration Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD).

Helden Aerospace has already successfully transitioned its existing HeldenMesh commercial grid generator to industry. The completion of this effort further improves the CFD toolset through automation and simplification of the analysis and design process. This effort results in a product with strong commercial viability as there is a significant need for this capability in industry.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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