Optimization of a Lift-Offset Compound Helicopter in a Multidisciplinary Analysis Environment

A multidisciplinary analysis environment is described which enables easy tailoring of analysis fidelity to the problem of interest. A description of the important aspects of this multidisciplinary analysis environment, including a method for estimating the impact of the design variables on rotor airfoil and structural properties suitable for use in rotor comprehensive analysis, are provided. A method for generalizing and storing the description of the rotor in python to support multiple analyses is also described. The optimization of a lift-offset compound is examined as a test problem, highlighting the environment’s ability to enable the use of additional rotor design variables not typically considered in conceptual design.