A Collaborative Conceptual Aircraft Design Environment for the Design of Small-Scale UAVs in a Multi-University Setting

Abstract

The development of a collaborative design tool for the generation and evaluation of small-scale electric-powered UAV concepts in a multi-university, multi-disciplinary setting is presented. The integrated design and optimization software CCADE (Collaborative Conceptual Aircraft Design Environment) enables the immersion of team members from different universities in a software environment which shares design information and analysis results in a central database. Input files for use by open-source analysis tools are automatically generated, and output files read in and displayed in a user-friendly graphical interface. Analysis codes for initial sizing, geometry, airfoil selection, aerodynamics, propulsion, stability and control, and structures are included. CCADE increased the volume of concepts which can be evaluated by student teams, increased the quality of designs produced, and contributed to shorter lead time to preliminary and detailed design.