More then 10 years ago a large investment was made in extending the NSMB Navier Stokes Multi Block (NSMB) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) towards Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) simulations (Guillaume et al. in Fluid structure interaction simulation on the F/A-18 vertical tail, 2010 [1], Guillaume et al. in Aeronaut J 115:285–294, 2011 [2]). At that time a segregated approach was adopted using a loosely coupled approach. More recently NSMB was coupled to the open-source Finite Element Analysis environment B2000++ (http://www.smr.ch/products/b2000/ [3]) in a strongly coupled approach. This has led to the possibility to perform both static and dynamic FSI simulations using either a modal or a FEM approach without the need to interrupt the simulation. Results of aero-elastic simulations for the MDO-aircraft, the AGARD445.6 wing and for a Strut Braced Wing configuration will be presented.

The paper describes the deployment of the AGILE Development Framework to investigate the Strut Braced Wing aircraft configuration. The design process consists of a multilevel multidisciplinary architecture, progressing from the initial conceptual synthesis to the physics based analysis. All the main disciplinary domains, including on board system design and cost assessment, are accounted for in the assembled workflow. Due to the specific characteristics of the Strut Braced Wing configuration, the aeroelastic analysis is the main focus of the study and it is addressed at both high and low fidelity levels. The integration of the engine-wing system is also included in the design process. All the design competences, which are hosted at the different partners, communicate via CPACS (Common Parametric Aircraft Configuration Schema) data schema. All the results generated, including the multidisciplinary design process itself, will be published and made available as part of the AGILE Overall Aircraft Design database.

Novel configuration design choices may help achieve revolutionary goals for reducing fuel burn, emission and noise, set by Flightpath 2050. One such advance configuration is a blended wing body. Due to multi-diciplinary nature of the configuration, several partners with disciplinary expertise collaborate in a Model driven ‘AGILE MDAO framework’ to design and evaluate the novel configuration. The objective of this research are: • To create and test a model based collaborative framework using AGILE Paradigm for novel configuration design & optimization, involving large multinational team. Reduce setup time for complex MDO problem. • Through Multi fidelity design space exploration, evaluate aerodynamic performance • The BWB disciplinary analysis models such as aerodynamics, propulsion, onboard systems, S&C were integrated and intermediate results are published in this report.