Full configuration drag estimation of short-to-medium range fixed-wing UAVs and its impact on initial sizing optimization
- The paper presents the derivation of a new equivalent skin friction coefficient for estimating the parasitic drag of short-to-medium range fixed-wing unmanned aircraft. The new coefficient is derived from an aerodynamic analysis of ten different unmanned aircraft used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and search and rescue missions. The aircraft is simulated using a validated unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes approach. The UAV’s parasitic drag is significantly influenced by the presence of miscellaneous components like fixed landing gears or electro-optical sensor turrets. These components are responsible for almost half of an unmanned aircraft’s total parasitic drag. The new equivalent skin friction coefficient accounts for these effects and is significantly higher compared to other aircraft categories. It is used to initially size an unmanned aircraft for a typical reconnaissance mission. The improved parasitic drag estimation yields a much heavier unmanned aircraft when compared to the sizing results using available drag data of manned aircraft.
Verfasserangaben: | Falk GöttenORCiD, Felix FingerORCiD, Marc Havermann, Carsten BraunORCiD, Matthew Marino, Cees Bil |
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DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s13272-021-00522-w |
ISSN: | 1869-5590 (Online) |
ISSN: | 1869-5582 (Print) |
Titel des übergeordneten Werkes (Englisch): | CEAS Aeronautical Journal |
Verlag: | Springer |
Verlagsort: | Berlin |
Dokumentart: | Wissenschaftlicher Artikel |
Sprache: | Englisch |
Erscheinungsjahr: | 2021 |
Datum der Publikation (Server): | 23.06.2021 |
Freies Schlagwort / Tag: | Aircraft sizing; CFD; Parasitic drag; UAV |
Jahrgang: | 12 |
Erste Seite: | 589 |
Letzte Seite: | 603 |
Bemerkung: | Corresponding author: Falk Götten |
Link: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s13272-021-00522-w |
Zugriffsart: | weltweit |
Fachbereiche und Einrichtungen: | FH Aachen / ECSM European Center for Sustainable Mobility |
FH Aachen / Fachbereich Luft- und Raumfahrttechnik | |
collections: | Verlag / Springer |
Open Access / Hybrid | |
Geförderte OA-Publikationen / DEAL Springer | |
Lizenz (Deutsch): | Creative Commons - Namensnennung |