Huntsville, Ala. – CFD Research has been awarded a $10M SBIR Phase III IDIQ contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Munitions Directorate to further develop and apply a unique framework for evolutionary algorithm-based design optimization of guided weapons systems.
In 2018 CFD Research won an SBIR Phase I contract to develop a simulation architecture for multi-disciplinary design and optimization of munition concepts. The Phase I effort led to the successful demonstration of a framework called Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithms for the Design of Weapons (MEADOW). MEADOW integrates missile modeling and simulation tools with multi-objective evolutionary algorithms and state-of-the-art surrogate modeling techniques to perform efficient, simulation-based optimization of autonomous munition systems.
“The MEADOW framework offers users the ability to efficiently explore tradespaces and identify regions of interest. This newly awarded Phase III contract will lead to refinement of the capabilities, tools, and data necessary for improved requirements definition, technology demonstration, design optimization, and eventual support of acquisition, mission planning, and operational engagement decisions using MEADOW,” notes Dr. Andrew Kaminsky, CFD Research Group Leader and lead developer of MEADOW. “Multiple customers will be engaged and use cases explored to transition the MEADOW capability into Air Force facilities and position it for commercialization to benefit the broader Department of Defense and defense industrial community.”
A key objective of the Phase III effort is the development of additional modeling and simulation capabilities to provide a more accurate representation of the weapon systems, subsystems, targets, threats, and environment. CFD Research will also pursue optimization and maturation of computational hardware architectures to accelerate optimization performance, including procurement, testing, and integration of host platforms. In addition, the Phase III effort includes support for hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) evaluation of guided weapon systems in the form of the development of real-time, closed-loop, 6DOF simulations for use in HWIL systems. These capabilities will be used to perform research associated with weapon kinematic accessibility, weapon guidance technology improvement, and maturation of weapon technologies for flight testing and transition to the warfighter.
“The key value provided by MEADOW’s modeling and simulation-based optimization is its application to specific Department of the Air Force (DAF) and Department of Defense (DoD) Programs to support improved requirements definition, design optimization, acquisition, mission planning, and operational engagement decisions,” said Dr. Tony Thompson, Modeling and Simulation Core Technical Competency Lead, Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate.
About CFD Research: Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has worked with government agencies, businesses, and academia to provide innovative solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, and Energy & Materials industries. Over the years CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for the successful application and commercialization of innovative technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. CFD Research’s impressive three-year growth rate was high enough to recognize the company in the Inc. Magazine’s 5000 for the second year in a row. CFD Research is an ISO9001 and AS9100 registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for services. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.
