Fidelity Forward Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization: Harnessing the Power of High Fidelity CAD and CAE Tools in Conceptual Design

“Fid elity For ward ” is the idea of bringing high fidelity simulations including Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) forward in the design process from their traditional locations of preliminary design to the conceptual design phase . This technique provides a way to mitigate the cost and schedule risks resulting from the lack of high fidelity simulations in conventional conceptual design. In this paper, the traditional engineering design process is examined to identify the current bar riers and a new design approach is proposed fusing the conceptual and pr eliminary design phases . A new framework support to integrate CAD as a central part of the simulation and design process is discussed. A wing design problem will be used to demonstrate how the new design process can improve barriers and inefficiencies in the traditional design approach through integration of commercial CAD/CAE tools along with support of computational load balancing systems.