Design Optimization of a Blended-Wing-Body Aircraft with Integrated Fan-in-Wing

<p>This report investigates an aerodynamics optimization method for blended-wing-body aircraft. Specifically, blended-wing aircraft with integrated fan-in-wing propulsion systems are targeted, understanding that these systems offer enhanced take-off and landing performance. The cruising flight aero-dynamic penalty is determined, through comparing the optimized planform of two aircraft, with and without fan-in-wing constraints. The planform was parametrized using Bezier control points, providing a flexible and control-lable method for defining the shape of the aircraft. The aerosandbox tool was utilized as the main computational methods to determine the drag, lift, and moment coefficient of the blended wing body aircraft. In this work, the aerodynamic efficiency of the plane without a fan improved 3.81% and 37.3% for the fan configuration. However, the aerodynamic efficiency for the fan configuration was reduced 7.1% compared to the no fan configuration. This report addressed the development of the aerodynamic optimization program that takes in design input and optimizes the better design variable to achieve the highest aerodynamic efficiency.</p>