Robust Decision Making in Aerial and Marine Vehicles Optimization: a Designer's Viewpoint

The paper presents a formulation for robust optimization of aerial and marine vehicles design. The general framework is that of optimal design under uncertainty, also referred as Robust Design Optimization (RDO). Specifically, statistical decision theory concepts are used to formulate the design decision problem under uncertain operating conditions. The design specifications are given in terms of probability density function of different operating parameters and the optimal design configuration is that which maximizes the performance expectation. Applications to the conceptual design of civil aircraft and vessels are shown.