Progress Towards a Multi-Disciplinary Analysis and Optimisation Capability for Air Vehicle Assessment and Design - a UK Research Establishment View

Abstract : This paper considers progress towards establishing a Multi-disciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) capability for assessment and design. Some basic questions are posed and answered on the basis of experience gained by DERA as a result of participation in a series of recent National and International projects undertaken in partnership with UK and European industry and government research agencies. Issues addressed include the definition of MDO; its function within concurrent engineering; the role of product models; the definition and execution of the MDO process under user control; the use of trade-off studies for requirements capture; and the degree to which MDO can support detailed design work. The need for the adoption of standards in the definition of the product model is highlighted.