A model-based multidisciplinary conceptual design for blended-wing-body underwater gliders

Blended-wing-body underwater gliders (BWBUGs) can achieve superior performance for their shapes. Their overall performance is affected by shapes and shows correlations with other disciplines. In this paper, a universal classification and parameterisation model was proposed, including the shape, layout, structure, and energy consumption. To overcome the coupling between the multidisciplinary design in conceptual design, a model-based multidisciplinary system design was conducted for BWBUGs. This system adopted a parameterisation model to design the shape, layout, structure and employed multiple simulation modules to evaluate the system performance, which can facilitate the convenient definition of overall performance and design constraints, obtain various feasible system schemes rapidly, and boost the series development and agile design of BWBUG.