For the aerodynamic and overall optimization of hypersonic glide vehicles, this study proposes a performance evaluation method grounded in exergy theory. A multidisciplinary exergy dissipation model is developed, integrating aerodynamics, thermal protection, control, structures, and trajectory. This framework consolidates diverse metrics—such as aerodynamic efficiency, stability, and maneuverability—into a single, physically meaningful exergy loss parameter, enabling quantitative trade-off analysis. Using an HTV-2-like lifting-body configuration, aerodynamic optimization is performed with the objective of minimizing exergy loss, and its differences from lift-to-drag ratio optimization are examined. Based on the exergy balance equation, the potential applications of exergy loss analysis in conceptual design are discussed. The results indicate that this approach can rapidly identify performance bottlenecks, support multidisciplinary design optimization, and offer a new theoretical tool and evaluation paradigm for hypersonic vehicle design.

exergy analysis theory  /  hypersonic  /  glider vehicle  /  aerodynamic overall design  /  performance evaluation