Aerospace design optimization using a compound repulsive particle swarm

This study shows the benefits of using a compound repulsive particle swarm optimizer (RPSO) for use in aerospace design applications. A new hybrid optimizer has been developed for this study involving a separate particle swarm imbedded within the standard RPSO. The engineering design problems for this study include the development of a desired solid rocket motor grain, a solid motor sounding rocket, and a single stage solid propellant missile system. The methods are used independently to match a prescribed set of parameters defining the propellant characteristics and/or the missile’s geometry. The design study was conducted using both the standard RPSO and the newly developed compound RPSO. The algorithms are compared based on their speed and effectiveness in solving the design problem, with the figure of merit being a factor based on a set of desired performance goals.