Aerodynamic Optimization of Regional Blended Wing-Body Transports

High-fidelity RANS-based aerodynamic shape optimization is used to optimize the aerodynamic performance of both conventional and blended wing-body aircraft for the regional jet segment. Trim-constrained drag-minimization is... [ view full abstract ]

High-fidelity RANS-based aerodynamic shape optimization is used to optimize the aerodynamic performance of both conventional and blended wing-body aircraft for the regional jet segment. Trim-constrained drag-minimization is performed, with the optimized conventional design serving as a performance reference for the blended wing-body concepts. A `classically' shaped blended wing-body is first optimized and yields no drag savings when compared to the conventional reference aircraft. An exploratory optimization with significant geometric freedom is then performed to explore the aerodynamic potential of small blended wing-bodies. This results in a novel shape with a slender lifting fuselage and distinct wings. Based on this exploratory result a refined blended wing-body design is created and optimized. With a span constrained by code `C' gate limits and having the same wing-only span as the conventional reference, this new design produces almost 6% less drag than the reference aircraft, and a 19% lift-to-drag benefit.