This technical article discusses design and integration associated with distributed propulsion as a means of providing motive power with significantly reduced emissions and external noise for future aircraft concepts. The technical work reflects activities performed within a European Commission funded Framework 7 project entitled Distributed Propulsion and Ultra-high By-Pass Rotor Study at Aircraft Level, or, DisPURSAL. In this instance, the approach of distributed propulsion includes a Distributed Multiple-Fans Concept driven by a limited number of engine cores as well as one unique solution that integrates the fuselage with a single propulsor (dubbed Propulsive-Fuselage Concept) -both targeting entry-in-service year 2035+. Compared to a state-of-the-art, year 2000 reference aircraft, designs with tighter coupling between airframe aerodynamics and motive power system performance for medium-to-long-range operations indicated potentially a 40-45% reduction in CO 2 -emissions. An evolutionary, year 2035, conventional morphology gas-turbine aircraft was predicted to be -33% in CO 2 -emissions.

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As part of H2020 EU project "AGILE", A Collaborative System of Systems Multidisciplinary Design Optimization research approach is presented in this paper. This approach relies on physics-based analysis to evaluate the correlations between the airframe design, as well as propulsion, aircraft systems, aerodynamics, structures and emission, from the early design process, and to exploit the synergies within a simultaneous optimization process. Further, the disciplinary analysis modules from multiple organizations, involved in the optimization are integrated within a distributed framework. The disciplinary analysis tools are not shared, but only the data are distributed among partners through a secured network of framework. In order to enable and to accelerate the deployment of collaborative, large scale design and optimization frameworks, the "AGILE Paradigm", a novel methodology, has been formulated during the project. The main elements composing the AGILE Paradigm are the Knowledge Architecture (KA), and the Collaborative Architecture (CA). The first formalizes the overall product development process in a multi-level structure. The latter formalizes the collaborative process within the entire supply chain, and defines how the multiple stakeholders interact with each other.The current paper is focused on the application of using the AGILE Paradigm to solve system of stystems MDO on a regional jet transport aircraft. The focus of the current research paper is: 1) Creation of a system of systems frame work using AGILE Paradigm to support multidisciplinary distributive analysis capability. The framework involves physics based modules such as : Airframe synthesis, aerodynamics, structures, aircraft systems , propulsion system design, nacelle design, nacelle airframe integration, aircraft mission simulation,costs and emissions. 2) Validate the frame work with case study of a regional jet reference aircraft. 3) Assess the sensitivity and coupling of design parameters, local disciplinary optimizataion and its effect on global optimization objectives or constraints. The effects of varying Bypass Ratio (BPR) of engine, offtake effects due to degree of electrification and nacelle effects are propagated through the AGILE MDO framework and presented.

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The on-board systems are having even more importance in aircraft design since the continuous research for a competitive, more optimized and less costly aircraft. In addition, the introduction of new technologies related to the More Electric Aircraft and All Electric Aircraft concepts have raised the interest on on-board systems discipline giving the option of analyzing different architectures. The present paper would enhance the selection of the best on-board systems architecture introducing a new workflow, which is able to identify the best architecture in terms of procurement and operating cost. Since the importance of fuel required providing the secondary power, the effect of each specific architecture on engine performance is particularly considered including a detailed engine module. The workflow is implemented in Optimus framework within a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment and it is open to be integrated with additional modules increasing the fidelity of the analysis. To explore the capability of the defined workflow, the H2020 AGILE regional jet is identified as test case.