Topology Optimization for Manufacturable Configuration Design of Aircraft Tail Rib

A methodology is implemented to find the optimum reduced weight configuration design of an operating structure of a civil aircraft vertical tail fin. FE （finite element） based topology optimization is executed to find the optimum material distribution of initial design space of rib by maximizing the stiffness. Loads pertinent to the operating and ground conditions are estimated and applied, considering the orientation of structural assembly members and built-in supports offered in the main structure. Manufacturing constraints are incorporated into the optimization loop to generate pragmatic and manufacturable design configuration. The topologically optimized configuration is then converted to CAD viable design through data reduction and smoothing by converting to ISO-surfaces. A methodology is also devised to modify the topological optimized voids and material layout precisely with splines and fillets to construct manufacturable features and avoid stress concentrations. The resulting novel design proposal is then analyzed and validated against stipulated loads, constraints and other design needs. Results validate the new design proposal as more reliable, having reduced weight and enhanced structural performance.

Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization of Satellite Launch Vehicle Using Latin Hypercube Design of Experiments

The design of new Satellite Launch Vehicle （SLV） is of interest, especially when a combination of Solid and Liquid Propulsion is included. Proposed is a conceptual design and optimization technique for multistage Low Earth Orbit （LEO） bound SLV comprising of solid and liquid stages with the use of Genetic Algorithm （GA） as global optimizer. Convergence of GA is improved by introducing initial population based on the Design of Experiments （DOE） Technique. Latin Hypercube Sampling （LHS）-DOE is used for its good space filling properties. LHS is a stratified random procedure that provides an efficient way of sampling variables from their multivariate distributions. In SLV design minimum Gross Lift offWeight （GLOW） concept is traditionally being sought. Since the development costs tend to vary as a function of GLOW, this minimum GLOW is considered as a minimum development cost concept. The design approach is meaningful to initial design sizing purpose for its computational efficiency gives a quick insight into the vehicle performance prior to detailed design.

Conceptual Design Architecture Modeling and Simulation for Boost Phase Ballistic Missile Defense

The design review, simulation and validation of a Conceptual Design Architecture (CDA) for Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) are presented. An intercept system that contains a Ground Based Interceptor (GBI) and its guidance sensors (both radar and infrared) are simulated. 3D model using MATLAB is developed for a multistage target with ascent phase acceleration profile that depends on total mass, propellant mass and the specific impulse in the gravity field. The radar cross section (RCS) and infrared radiation (IR) of the target structure is estimated as a function of the flight profile. The Kill Vehicle (KV) design is examined as a function of the KV mass, acceleration capability, aimpoint offset and impact energy to destroy the target. The aim of the CDA is to: detect the launch of a threat ballistic missile, determine whether the detected object is a threat,define the characteristics of the threat ballistic missile, develop a firing solution to negate the threat ballistic missile, engage the threat ballistic missile, and assess the effectiveness for ballistic missile intercept. The architecture is modeled in Matlab.

GPS Navigation Using Adaptive Kalman Filter for Maneuvering Vehicle

Several filter techniques were available for the GPS position estimation problem of maneuvering vehicle ranging from using different process noises to Interactive Multiple Model (IMM). The limitation of using standard Kalman filters is listed.The performance of proposed adaptive filter is compared with that of the standard ones,two types of dynamic modeling of the maneuvering vehicle are used.The simulation is based on the almanac data of the GPS satellites to compute its feasibility during the simulation time and position on shape 8 track with continuous vehicle maneuvering. The goal is to obtain computationally efficient filter with reasonable accuracy for vehicle in maneuvering situation. The filter proposed is an alternative to the filter proposed in Ref. [1] with low computational burden.

Stealth Considerations for Aerodynamic Configurations Design of Missiles

The aerodynamic design of a strategic weapon is of interest, especially when the radar signatures are included in the conceptual design phase. The basics of stealth configurations and stealth mechanisms for missiles are reviewed. The Radar Cross Sections （RCS） of some generic missiles are predicted and compared to analyze the trade-offs involved between low RCS and aerodynamic performance. The consideration of RCS prediction in the conceptual design phase gives a quick insight into the stealth performance prior to detailed design.

Finocyl Grain Design and Optimization Using Sequential Quadratic Programming

Design technique of 3D Finocyl grain configuration for Solid Rocket Motors, including its performance prediction and optimization is discussed. In doing so, the design objectives and constraints are set, geometric parameters of Finocyl grain are identified, and performance prediction parameters are calculated, thereafter the preliminary design is completed and optimal design is reached. For every grain design, it is necessary that the minimum possible mass of propellant is used to produce the required thrust within a certain limit of burning time. By using this technique of design and optimization, the vital parameter of propellant mass is optimized to its minimum value, yet vital parameter of thrust is attained in the required burning time with the fixed length and diameter of motor. Especially a geometrical model of grain configuration is developed by using various combinations of ellipsoid, cone, cylinder, sphere, torus and inclined plane. With the diameter of the motor fixed, the Finocyl Grain geometry totally depends on sixteen independent variables. Each of these variables has a bearing on explicit characteristic of Finocyl grain design and optimization. Changing the value of each of these variables brings significant effects on the performance. Due to such attributes of Finocyl grain configuration, compromises will result. Overall optimal design is ensured through assigning and analyzing a suitable range of geometric parameters satisfying the requirements of minimum mass of propellant and ensuring sound values for internal ballistic parameters while remaining within the design constraints of thrust, burning time, length and diameter of chamber case.

Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization of Multistage Ground-launched Boost Phase Interceptor Using Hybrid Search Algorithm

This article proposes a multidisciplinary design and optimization （MDO） strategy for the conceptual design of a multistage ground-based interceptor （GBI） using hybrid optimization algorithm, which associates genetic algorithm （GA） as a global optimizer with sequential quadratic programming （SQP） as a local optimizer. The interceptor is comprised of a three-stage solid propulsion system for an exoatmospheric boost phase intercept （BPI）. The interceptor＇s duty is to deliver a kinetic kill vehicle （KKV） to the optimal position in space to accomplish the mission of intercept. The modules for propulsion, aerodynamics, mass properties and flight dynamics are integrated to produce a high fidelity model of the entire vehicle. The propulsion module com- prises of solid rocket motor （SRM） grain design, nozzle geometry design and performance prediction analysis. Internal ballistics and performance prediction parameters are calculated by using lumped parameter method. The design objective is to minimize the gross lift off mass （GLOM） of the interceptor under the mission constraints and performance objectives. The proposed design and optimization methodology provide designers with an efficient and powerful approach in computation during designing interceptor systems.

A Hybrid Optimization Approach for SRM FINOCYL Grain Design

This article presents a method to design and optimize 3D FINOCYL grain （FCG） configuration for solid rocket motors （SRMs）. The design process of FCG configuration involves mathematical modeling of the geometry and parametric evaluation of various independent geometric variables that define the complex configuration. Virtually infinite combinations of these variables will satisfy the requirements of mass of propellant, thrust, and burning time in addition to satisfying basic needs for volumetric loading fraction and web fraction. In order to ensure the acquisition of the best possible design to be acquired, a sound approach of design and optimization is essentially demanded. To meet this need, a method is introduced to acquire the finest possible performance. A series of computations are carried out to formulate the grain geometry in terms of various combinations of key shapes inclusive of ellipsoid, cone, cylinder, sphere, torus, and inclined plane. A hybrid optimization （HO） technique is established by associating genetic algorithm （GA） for global solution convergence with sequential quadratic programming （SQP） for further local convergence of the solution, thus achieving the final optimal design. A comparison of the optimal design results derived from SQP, GA, and HO algorithms is presented. By using HO technique, the parameter of propellant mass is optimized to the minimum value with the required level of thrust staying within the constrained burning time, nozzle and propellant parameters, and a fixed length and outer diameter of grain.

Hyper Heuristic Approach for Design and Optimization of Satellite Launch Vehicle

Satellite launch vehicle lies at the cross-road of multiple challenging technologies and its design and optimization present a typical example of multidisciplinary design and optimization（MDO） process.The complexity of problem demands highly effi-cient and effective algorithm that can optimize the design.Hyper heuristic approach（HHA） based on meta-heuristics is applied to the optimization of air launched satellite launch vehicle（ASLV）.A non-learning random function（NLRF） is proposed to con-trol low-level meta-heuristics（LLMHs） that increases certainty of global solution,an essential ingredient required in product conceptual design phase of aerospace systems.Comprehensive empirical study is performed to evaluate the performance advan-tages of proposed approach over popular non-gradient based optimization methods.Design of ASLV encompasses aerodynamics,propulsion,structure,stages layout,mass distribution,and trajectory modules connected by multidisciplinary feasible design approach.This approach formulates explicit system-level goals and then forwards the design optimization process entirely over to optimizer.This distinctive approach for launch vehicle system design relieves engineers from tedious,iterative task and en-ables them to improve their component level models.Mass is an impetus on vehicle performance and cost,and so it is considered as the core of vehicle design process.Therefore,gross launch mass is to be minimized in HHA.