Coupled Trajectory and Aerostructural Optimization of a UAV with Modular Morphing Wings

Field-deployed UAVs fly missions with complex lateral and longitudinal trajectories that can be executed more efficiently with modular wing morphing. By directly coupling the trajectory, aerodynamics, and structures disciplines, we can conduct design optimization studies to find the best morphing aircraft design and trajectory for a given mission. In this study, we use coupled trajectory and aerostructural optimization to find optimal mission trajectories enabled by morphing wing design for UAV applications and quantify the performance improvements enabled by wing morphing relative to traditional flight control deployment. The design optimization couples collocation method-based trajectory analysis provided by Dymos with physics-based aerostructural analysis provided by OpenAeroStruct to create an OpenMDAO-based trajectory and aerostructural optimization framework. We employ parallel computing and a hierarchical MDAO solver approach to accelerate convergence. The results show that modular morphing wings enable a UAV to complete constant altitude no-fly zone avoidance missions faster than those with traditional control configurations.