MBSE approach for conceptual design of hybrid electric VTOL aircraft

Abstract

In this study, it is ensured that the conceptual design cycle and sizing studies of the aircraft are carried out in accordance with customer and design requirements by using model-based systems engineering methods (MBSE). It is aimed to handle conceptual aircraft design process with MBSE approach while also creating a link between inhouse design tools and MBSE tools. Firstly, the aircraft mission profile and top-level requirements are determined based on customer requirements derived from literature survey. According to these top-level requirements and technology assessment, the aircraft design concept was decided as lift-cruise configuration. The concept design cycle is defined by the systems engineering approach. In conceptual design process, constraint analysis and sizing studies are mainly performed using inhouse design tools scripted with Matlab/Python environment. In the study, requirements analysis, functional analysis and allocation, design synthesis and requirement verification are performed, respectively. A link has been established between Cameo, which includes SysML models, and MATLAB, which includes sizing algorithms. Thanks to this link, requirements verification is created, an iterative design cycle. Verification of requirements are done with sizing results of candidate aircraft subsystems generated as a results of design synthesis. As a result of study, MBSE approach satisfies the traceability and generalization of the aircraft design process when compared to traditional design approach.