Aerodynamic shape optimization of hypersonic vehicles

A software tool for the constrained shape optimization of hypersonic vehicles is presented. The surface solution is calculated using CBAERO, an engineering level analysis tool for predicting subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics of conceptual vehicles. The vehicle geometry is defined using unstructured, triangulated surface meshes. The grid points are used directly as the design variables which removes any limitations incurred through the use of so called 'shape functions'. A simple, but robust, gradient optimization scheme is used with various constraints imposed via penalty functions. Results are presented for a vehicle optimized for its hypersonic lift to drag ratio.