The Influence of Engine Characteristics on Patrol Aircraft Life Cycle Cost Optimization

Abstract

A conceptual design study has been conducted for an all-new, land-based patrol aircraft for the U.S. Navy. The selected propulsion system was a conceptual high-speed turboprop. An antisubmarine warfare mission was chosen for the design flight profile. Probable peacetime utilization was postulated so that the engine duty cycle could be estimated. Aircraft designs were optimized for minimum takeoff gross weight (TOGW) and for minimum life cycle cost (LCC). It was shown that the aircraft performance requirements and design constraints bound the optimization process so tightly that the same point design is obtained for both TOGW and LCC criteria. The contribution of the engine costs to the overall life cycle costs was examined. The sensitivity of the aircraft optimization to the engine characteristics — specific fuel consumption (SFC), length, diameter, and cost — was analyzed. It was determined that SFC is the most significant engine characteristic.