Determining the aerodynamic performance of a high-speed unmanned marine wig craft

Abstract

The study object of this paper is the aerodynamic processes during the movement of an unmanned aerial vehicle flying low over the underlying surface. The ground effect is known to enhance the aerodynamic performance of low-flying aircraft, particularly larger ones. However, this effect is most noticeable for large objects. Unmanned vehicles are typically characterized by their relatively compact geometry. This study explores the aerodynamic processes involved in the flight of a small-sized vehicle using the principle of dynamic support over a surface. The particular prototype of the unmanned aerial vehicle suggested by the authors has been examined herein. The aim of the study is to evaluate the aerodynamic forces affecting a small-sized unmanned high-speed vehicle that employs the dynamic principle of support over the surface (WIG craft) by using CFD modeling. In contrast to most available studies on the ground effect, a 3D problem statement was used in this work. Computational experiments have visualized the physical fields surrounding an aircraft in flight over the ground. This study determines how the distance from the surface affects the aerodynamic properties of a small-sized aircraft, as well as the height of the effective zone where ground effect influences the small-sized WIG craft within . It has been shown that approaching the surface leads to a shift in the center of pressure of the vehicle, which leads to a change in aerodynamic momentum. This phenomenon must be taken into account when designing a control system to provide a stable flight. The study's findings are directly relevant for the development of a type of unmanned vehicles that use the dynamic principle of support over the surface.