A CFD Investigation into the Modification of a UAV Airframe. G.U. Aero Report 0109

Millar, M. and Smrcek, L. (2001) A CFD Investigation into the Modification of a UAV Airframe. G.U. Aero Report 0109. Technical Report. Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

A computational analysis was undertaken at the Czech Aeronautical Test and Research Institute (ARTI) on the outskirts of Prague into the possibility of implementing a new design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for the Czech military. The analysis was carried out using a compendium of programs used in the design of streamlined bodies. CMARC was the name of the analysing program, which is just a simple panel method and also undertakes inviscid calculations. Prior to analysis the model surface and wake are all that require meshing. Surface pressure coefficient plots were obtained along with lift and moment coefficients at the specific angles of attack. Drag coefficients were calculated using hand methods, also done at the ARTI, and with this data drag polars and lift curves of the various configurations were obtained. The outcome of the investigation discovered that a design of UAV that retained the current set up, however, swapping the aerofoil and increasing the span slightly provided the best performance characteristics. Though this conclusion was placed in doubt due to a number of shortcomings in the program, which had numerous limitations as in this situation it was being used as an analysis tool and not a basic design tool which is its intended function. Thus, the analysis ideally should be performed once again using a more suitable analysis package.

• Item Type: Research Reports or Papers (Technical Report)
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Smrcek, Dr Ladislav
• Authors: Millar, M., and Smrcek, L.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
• Publisher: Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2001 Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the Department