High-Fidelity Aerodynamic Analysis and Optimization of the SUSAN Electrofan Concept

The Subsonic Single Aft Engine (SUSAN) Electrofan is a new single-aisle regional jet class transport aircraft being studied by NASA, which benefits from reduced fuel consumption through a reduction in the number of hydrocarbon fuel-burning engines from two to one. This is achieved through a hybrid-electric system architecture, where a series of generators are used to extract power from a fuel-consuming tail cone thruster to drive electric propulsors mounted on the wings. To support the development of these propulsion systems, which involve high levels of propulsion-airframe integration, this paper presents high-fidelity analyses through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations provided by the Launch Ascent and Vehicle Aerodynamics (LAVA) framework, which also includes capabilities for modeling the effect of active propulsors. A trade space exploration is performed to investigate the advantages of several wing mounted distributed electric propulsion system configurations, including over-wing, under-wing, and trailing-edge arrangements. For the aft fuselage propulsor, focus is on the sizing of the inlet, core, and bypass ducts. High-fidelity aerodynamic shape optimization is also used to help minimize the inlet distortion intensity experienced by the aft propulsor fan through a reshaping of the fuselage.