Title: Performance improvement of a fixed wing UAV through wingspan optimisation

Authors: Paul P. Okonkwo; Paul O. Jemitola

Addresses: Air Force Institute of Technology, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna, Nigeria ' Air Force Institute of Technology, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract: This article describes the wing optimisation of an already designed and manufactured fixed wing UAV. The objective of the study was to improve the aircraft aerodynamic efficiency and flight performance with minimal disruption to the aircraft geometry. Accordingly, the study performed the optimisation by varying just the span within an acceptable limit and then determining the aerodynamic characteristics of the resulting geometry. The results obtained from the ensuing activities showed that the model with a span of 5.8 m produced the best aerodynamic performance of 6% increase in lift coefficient and a 16% increase in L/D compared to the baseline aircraft. Nevertheless, since this study did not consider structural, aero-elastic and stability effects in this optimisation, there is the need for a multidisciplinary optimisation to ascertain the weight penalty and stability variations of increased span on the overall performance of the concept.

Keywords: optimisation; wingspan; unmanned aerial vehicle; UAV; aerodynamic performance; efficiency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSA.2024.138689

International Journal of Sustainable Aviation, 2024 Vol.10 No.2, pp.179 - 191

Received: 10 Sep 2023
Accepted: 30 Dec 2023
Published online: 24 May 2024 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article