Better design decisions through operational modeling during the early design phases

This work presents an operational simulation based on a unique mission ontology that enables recreating any aviation scenario using a small set of parameters. The tool is designed to suit the early design phases where time pressures, uncertainties and knowledge gaps peak. It is embedded in a stack of software allowing early design phase optimization based on operational constraints. This stack was used to design and build several Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Two case studies demonstrate how the tool can act as a decision support or optimization tool, leading to improved designs and better operations. It is found that early design decisions can be based on a more rigorous analysis and that it is possible to optimize both the design and the operational environment by employing an operational simulation