Detail and structural design of a fixed-wing BWB UAV

Abstract

The current study focuses on the development of a prototype BWB UAV for highway traffic monitoring by supporting a Cooperative Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS). This system allows the monitoring of traffic conditions at large roads and highways. Having determined the mission requirements and concluded the aerodynamic conceptual and preliminary design phases, high fidelity CFD simulations are performed, aiming to calculate the key aerodynamic and stability characteristics of the platform and to optimize its performance throughout the mission. More specifically, regarding the aerodynamic vehicle design, results concerning the calculation of stability derivatives, control surfaces sizing, trim analysis and flight envelope (V-n diagram) are presented, along with the respective methodologies. Considering the structural design of the aircraft, a combination of layout, FE simulations and parameterized design tools were employed, allowing the design and sizing of the skin and the internal structural parts. The parts are mainly made of composite and additively manufactured nylon materials. Coupled interaction loops are conducted among the aerodynamic and structural analyses to optimize the overall performance of the aerial vehicle, maximizing the aerodynamic efficiency, and reducing the structural weight. Finally, the study is concluded by the presentation of the manufactured prototype of the UAV, which satisfies all the structural, aerodynamic, stability and performance requirements for the established highway traffic monitoring mission.