Novel Approach For Automated And Objective Vtol Concept Selection

Abstract

Selecting the optimal Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft concept is a critical and complex step in the design process, as it lays the foundation for the entire development lifecycle. Traditional Concept Selec- tion Methodologies (CSMs) often depend on subjective expert opinions and manual evaluation processes, which are limited in scope and prone to bias, potentially overlooking innovative or unconventional design solutions. This paper presents the Interactive Semi-Automated Reconfigurable Concept Selection Method- ology (ISAR-CSM), a novel approach that aims to enhance objectivity, scalability, and efficiency in the VTOL concept selection process. ISAR-CSM integrates a robust database of correlations between VTOL aircraft characteristics and specific design requirements, enabling the automated generation and evaluation of a vast array of potential concepts derived from a generalized VTOL taxonomy. The methodology is anchored by a modified House of Quality (mHoQ) and an Automated Concept Assessment Algorithm (ACAA), which together facilitate the systematic ranking of concepts based on their alignment with predefined mission re- quirements. A proof-of-concept implementation is provided, demonstrating ISAR-CSM's ability to process a large concept space rapidly, minimize human bias, and identify the most promising designs for further development. The results indicate that ISAR-CSM has significant potential to transform the early stages of VTOL design, though additional refinements and validations are necessary to fully realize its capabilities in practical applications.