We develop a preliminary design tool for a hybrid regional aircraft wing with distributed electric propulsion. The tool perfoms multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) through a model architecture enabling efficient gradient-based optimization. In particular, we deal with multi-point aerostructural optimization. The tool was built inside one of the most advanced MDO frameworks, OpenMDAO, as well as one of its submodules, OpenAeroStruct. Low-fidelity models were used as modeling basis for the tool which is available in two versions : model A, using Prandtl's lifting line theory and simple beam modeling, and the more advanced model B using VLM, beam skeleton FEM and momentum theory for engine blowing effect quantification.
Model A managed to produce structural mass estimation, thus enabling aerostructural trade-offs between aerodynamically performing geometries and heavy structures. It is a very simple tool that can be used for rough wing design estimation. Model B deals with a more detailed model for the wing including fuel, batteries and engines. It has predicted a structural mass saving when placing batteries in the wing to alleviate the lift load. Both model run very efficiently and provide confidence in the resulting design as well as sensitivity information thanks to the use of gradient-based optimization.