Range-Based Problem with Varying Design Point for Transonic Aerodynamic Wing Optimization
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Drag minimization of aerodynamic shapes in transonic flow can lead to shock-free solutions with poor off-design performance. The work here explores whether optimizing range, augmented by the addition of the operating point as a design variable, is an appropriate objective for inviscid transonic wing optimization. Gradient-based optimizations are performed, showing that the range formulation allows the optimizer to increase drag divergence to maximize speed, which in turn allows a lower lift coefficient to minimize induced drag. The result is a shocked solution, with the shock moving further aft on the wing for higher weight, which can be managed via a pitching moment constraint. Range optimizations lead to higher optimum Mach numbers, which raise drag divergence. Similar behavior is seen with multipoint optimization with a high-speed point included, though the range optimizations have better global off-design performance (via a larger region of high performance around the optimum performance point), better local off-design performance (via lower sensitivity in range to changes in speed and lift), and are further from drag divergence.
Source: Journal of Aircraft
DOI: 10.2514/1.c038630
Institution: University of Bristol
Language: English
Subfield: Computational Mechanics
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7162009802