Development of Robust Design and Optimization Process for Unmanned Rotorcraft Design

Growing attention has been paid to Unmanned rotorcraft because of their Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) and hovering capabilities, which is not possible with fixed-wing aircraft. In this study, robust design and optimization process is developed to identify the best configuration concept that satisfies the design requirements and to derive robust design solution. A design space model has been developed to find design requirements by analyzing design sensitivity and by searching for the feasible design region. In addition, the best configuration concept that satisfies the design requirements has been identified using Quality Function Deployment and the Configuration Concept Selection Matrix. Robust design method is applied to derive the robust solution of selected alternative configuration. The Robust Design Process can contribute to improve the probability of objective function result. In this paper, an unmanned rotorcraft with scouting ability was designed as an example and proof of these processes.