Efficient Supersonic Air Vehicle Preliminary Conceptual Multi-Disciplinary Design Optimization Results

The Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) is investigating concepts for the next generation Efficient Supersonic Air Vehicle (ESAV). Research efforts are currently on going in the form of contracted efforts with the major airframers and internal research that is collaborative with academic partners. One of the goals of the research efforts is to investigate new design methods that can be applied to this class of vehicle. Accurate performance and especially weight estimation early in the design cycle are a priority. Simultaneous design of major sub-systems is another. With advance technologies coming from adaptive versatile engine technology for the propulsion system, active aero elastic wing, flutter suppression, gust load alleviation and maneuver load control, tailless supersonic for the airframe / control system, and directed energy weapon systems stressing the power and thermal sub-systems, the system design problem for this platform is complex beyond any existing aircraft flying today. This places pressure on the design methods to accurately predict the performance and weight of concepts accurately early in the design cycle. This paper presents initial efforts that are focused on airframe and stability control technology impacts on weight and performance in the conceptual design phase.