Aerodynamic shape design methods for aircraft: status and trends

The continuous development of computer technology and computational fluid dynamics has led to great progress in aerodynamic shape design methods. Aerodynamic design methods have been developed from cut-and-try to reverse design and further to optimal design. Aerodynamic analysis methods have been evolved from wind tunnel test to low fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and then to high fidelity CFD simulation. With the higher and higher requirements regarding aircraft performance, the design conditions, optimization models and design constraints are becoming more and more complex. Consequently, the continuously increasing number of design variables and design goals lead to new challenges for aerodynamic design methods. Based on years of research experiences by the author and author's team and the domestic and abroad related research findings, aerodynamic shape design methods are systematically reviewed in the present paper. New problems and challenges in aerodynamic design are summarized. Moreover, future research trends of aerodynamic shape design are prospected.