Quality functional deployment as a conceptual aircraft design tool

Abstract

Quality Functional Deployment (QFD) methodology was applied as a possible system integration tool for use during the conceptual configuration design phase of low speed High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs. A four-level QFD model was used to identify important design variables and prioritize those that impact customer attributes. The customer attributes were deployed into performance parameters. The performance parameters were deployed into UAV part characteristics. The part characteristics were deployed into manufacturing processes. The manufacturing processes were deployed into process controls. Based on QFD, the research effort showed that to achieve the customer attributes of high endurance, range, cruise altitude and payload, the important performance parameters are low gross weight, low C(D,0), high C(L,max) and a low life cycle cost. The part characteristics considered for the conceptual HALE UAV configuration were maximum utilization of composites, thick airfoil (to increase fuel capacity), high wing fatigue strength and low wing sweep. To achieve the part characteristics, the manufacturing methods considered were autoclaving and filament winding for composites components; milling and precision forging were considered for aluminum alloy components. Manufacturing process controls were also identified. In each QFD matrix, the technical correlations roof provided an effective mechanism for comparing each design parameter against other design parameters in order to determine conflicting design requirements