Aerodynamic design

We can look into concept design optimisation, assessment and trade off studies for air platforms at the earliest fundamental research stage through to platform integration issues and specialist add on assessments. We make use of rapid geometry manipulation and grid generation, drag prediction and high lift performance focusing on multivariate analysis, mission and point performance estimation, take-off and landing performance estimation together with technical evaluation and risk assessment. Solutions for both manned and unmanned future air vehicle concepts can be investigated.

In its simplest guise QinetiQ can evaluate different aircraft configurations and shapes and designs using CODAS. CODAS is a CFD aerodynamic optimisation tool that will enable a dramatic cycle-time improvement for this type of evaluation.

Multi-Disciplinary Optimisation
Leading on from this, more complex scenarios can be assessed using our multi-disciplinary design optimisation tool.

We offer large aircraft manufacturers our Multi-Disciplinary Optimisation (MDO) capability to consider the key design disciplines together rather than in a sequential design chain. MDO offers a potential step change in the innovative design of future civil aircraft. Not only does MDO reduce development time but it also reduces risk.

The MDO technique optimises air vehicle performance taking into account range, payload, signature and also a wide range of constraints such as skin thickness and buckling loads. The tool is fully automatic and combines geometry manipulation, advanced flow calculation and optimiser.

As part of its continuous development programme contributing to aerodynamic performance enhancement, QinetiQ has successfully introduced the concept of:

Winglets – wing tip structures whose alignment can be configured to improve the aerodynamics of aerofoils producing greater lift and reduced drag.

Hybrid Ice Protection System (HIPS) – combines electrothermal heater mats to weaken the ice/aerofoil bond and electromechanical actuators to break the ice. Particularly suitable for non-metallic structures from rotor blades to wings.