Development of NOVA Aircraft Configurations for Large Engine Integration Studies

The search for reduced fuel consumption of future transport aircraft involves an improvement of the propulsive efficiency. The current trend for engines is toward lower fan pressure ratio (and higher bypass ratio), which has to be compensated by larger mass flow rate. To deliver this increased mass flow rate, the fan diameter must be larger, making the integration of such engines on conventional aircraft a challenge. In order to evaluate their potential for the replacement of existing medium-haul aircraft, four different aircraft geometries have been defined at ONERA with a particular focus on engine integration options. This paper presents the conceptual studies, preliminary and detailed aerodynamic design work as well as the performance prediction that led to these NOVA (Nextgen Onera Versatile Aircraft) configurations.