Impact of Active Aeroelastic Wing Technology on Wing Geometry Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

*+# A multidisciplinary design study considering the impact of Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW) technology on the wing geometry of a lightweight fighter concept is presented. The study incorporates multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) and response surface methods to characterize wing weight as a function of wing geometry. The study involves the sizing of the wing box skins of several fighter configurations to minimum weight subject to maneuver requirements. In addition, the MDO problem makes use of a new capability, trim optimization for redundant control surfaces, to accurately model AAW technology. The response surface methodology incorporates design of experiments, least squares regression, and makes use of the parametric definition of a structural finite element model and aerodynamic model to build response surface equations of wing weight as a function of wing geometric parameters for both AAW technology and conventional control technology. The goal for this design study is t...