Combined Trajectory and Propulsion Optimization for Solar-Regenerative High-Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aircraft

Gates, Nathaniel; Moore, Kevin R.; Ning, Andrew; Hedengren, John D.

doi:10.2514/6.2019-1221

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…5a to 5c. We calculated these propeller performance curves using blade element momentum theory in a coupled SR-HALE trajectory and propulsion optimization study [23]. Propeller diameter (D p ) and advance ratio (J) are available to the optimizer as design variables and are the same for each propeller.…”

Section: Propulsion Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gradient-Based Optimization of Solar-Regenerative High-Altitude Long-Endurance Aircraft

McDonnell

Ning

2020

Journal of Aircraft

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In this paper we use gradient-based optimization to minimize the mass of a solar-regenerative high-altitude longendurance (SR-HALE) flying-wing aircraft while accounting for nonlinear aeroelastic effects. We design the aircraft to fly year round at 35°latitude at 18 km above sea level and subject the aircraft to energy capture, energy storage, material failure, local buckling, stall, longitudinal stability, and coupled flight and aeroelastic stability constraints. The optimized aircraft has an aspect ratio of 27.8, a surface area of 99.1 m 2 , and a mass of 508.8 kg. Our results suggest that thick airfoils provide greater structural efficiency than increased carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) ply thicknesses. We also perform several parameter sweeps to determine sensitivity to altitude, latitude, battery specific energy, solar efficiency, avionics and payload power requirements, and minimum design velocity.

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Section: Propulsion Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gradient-Based Optimization of Solar-Regenerative High-Altitude Long-Endurance Aircraft

McDonnell

Ning

2020

Journal of Aircraft

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“…1. We calculated these propeller performance curves using blade element momentum theory in a coupled SR-HALE trajectory and propulsion optimization study [16]. Propeller revolutions per minute is controlled by the optimizer indirectly by modifying the advance ratio.…”

Section: Energy Capture Storage and Usagementioning

confidence: 99%

An Examination into the Defining Characteristics of Flexible Solar Aircraft Configurations through Optimization

McDonnell

Ning

2019

AIAA Aviation 2019 Forum

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This paper examines the defining characteristics of various solar aircraft configurations through gradient-based multidisciplinary design optimization. We first present a general gradient-based solar aircraft optimization framework which accounts for nonlinear aeroelastic effects resulting from structural flexibility. We then apply this framework to several discrete SR-HALE aircraft geometric, structural, and propulsion system configuration choices to determine the defining characteristics of each configuration choice.

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MDO Formulations for Simultaneous Design and Trajectory Optimization

Kaneko,

Martins

2024

AIAA SCITECH 2024 Forum

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Combined Trajectory and Propulsion Optimization for Solar-Regenerative High-Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aircraft

Cited by 3 publications

References 30 publications

Gradient-Based Optimization of Solar-Regenerative High-Altitude Long-Endurance Aircraft

Gradient-Based Optimization of Solar-Regenerative High-Altitude Long-Endurance Aircraft

An Examination into the Defining Characteristics of Flexible Solar Aircraft Configurations through Optimization

MDO Formulations for Simultaneous Design and Trajectory Optimization

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