Advancements in Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Applied to Hypersonic Vehicles to Achieve Closure

Abstract

To achieve closure on the physical and economic performance metrics of air-breathing hypersonic vehicles, their components and functions must be highly integrated. Such extensive integration challenges conventional desig n paradigms, approaches and tools. Unconventional approaches must therefore be developed and employed to achieve design success, among them parametric configuration definition, automated engineering and highfidelity discipline analysis, and multidisciplinary optimization, to name a few. These and other advanced design technologies are being develo ped and applied at Boeing to the design of hypersonic vehicles, as well as to other Boeing aerospace platforms. This paper describes recent Boeing progress in developing and applying t he elements of a multidisciplinary analysis and optimization system to hypersonic vehi cle design, and outlines future work aimed at further developing this critical capabilit y.