A Cruise Missile Conceptual Design Methodology,Using Genetic Algorithm

In spite of great deal of experience, cruise missile design is still a complex engineering problem and many decisions are made based upon qualitative choices by the design team. The use of genetic algorithm (GA), as a conceptual design optimization methodology for cruise missiles, can help reduce the need for qualitative decisions. In this article, the results of the design optimization code based on a 6-DOF simulation are discused, wich shows the ability of GA to perform cruise missile conceptual design. The results of this work have been compared with the world best missile (Harpoon). Using this method, the designer can follow a systematic approach to find the most appropriate configuration and as a result the time and the cost of conceptual design can be considerably reduced.