Solid-State Electroaerodynamic Aircraft Design Using Signomial Programming

Electroaerodynamics (EAD) is a form of airbreathing electric propulsion that uses high voltages to produce and accelerate ions, generating thrust without any moving parts. This method of solid-state propulsion is nearly silent and produces no direct combustion emissions. This paper describes a program for designing and optimizing fixed-wing solid-state aircraft propelled solely using EAD. Signomial programming (SP), an emerging method of efficient multidisciplinary design optimization, is employed. The program incorporates performance models for state-of-the-art EAD thrusters, and for custom high-voltage power electronics. It can be used to generate vehicle specifications, or to assess the effect of technological improvements on vehicle performance. The program was used to design and build a flight demonstrator aircraft, based on a goal of achieving steady level flight. In 2017–2018, the demonstrator successfully achieved steady level flight, a first for a fixed-wing electric aircraft with solid-state propulsion. The unproven nature of the EAD propulsion system necessitated a design philosophy centered around minimal technical risk, affecting configuration selection and choice of objective function. A similar design philosophy may prove useful for other design projects with unproven propulsion systems. Finally, endurance values greater than 30 min are achievable with recent improvements in EAD thruster and battery technology.