Aerodynamic shape design and optimization - Status and trends

A limited number of aerodynamic shape design concepts have been surveyed and an attempt has been made to classify them. Characteristics, both positive and negative, of the more prominent methods were outlined. Future research is expected to concentrate on the use of Navier-Stokes equations and applications to threedimensional configurations. Interdisciplinary constrained optimization is expected to play a more prominent role in the immediate future. Adjoint operator/control theory and its variations are the most promising concepts for interdisciplinary aerodynamic shape design which involves a large number of variables. This theory is expected to constitute the major development area in future research.