Model-Based Multi-Fidelity Convergent Design Process for Commercial Aircraft

The development duration of commercial aircraft has become longer than ever due to the increasing complexity of aircraft systems and new technologies. This longer duration increases exposure to changes in design inputs, such as requirements or product planning. This paper proposes an integrated commercial aircraft conceptual design process that utilizes the Set-Based Approach, analyses of various fidelities, and estimation methods suitable for new architectures to minimize the negative impacts caused by changes in design inputs. The proposed process takes advantage of the Convergent Design Process with the Set-Based Approach, which handles a large number of design candidates in parallel, thereby reducing the risk of design rework. Also, the fidelity of analyses is increased according to the required accuracy and speed as the design progresses. This process is enabled by three types of digital models: descriptive, analytical, and process models. It is applied to a case study of a 90-seat class commercial aircraft design. The results show that the proposed process gradually converges the design space, and that introducing high-fidelity analyses early in the design process reduces the risk of design rework.