Development of a Cargo Airdrop Modeling Method for a Tactical Blended-Wing-Body UAV

Abstract

In this paper, the development of a cargo airdrop modeling method is presented for a fixed-wing tactical UAV. The UAV, which is being developed in the framework of the DELAER UAS project, is based on the Blended-Wing-Body layout, and its mission is to deliver cargo and lifesaving supplies via airdrop, to remote and isolated Greek territories as well as over isolated islands in the Aegean Sea. At first, a simplified kinematic model is developed, to describe the trajectory of the cargo. Then, the critical airdrop parameters, such as the aerodynamic drag and the effect of wind gusts, are identified and incorporated to the model. Based on this model, an analysis methodology is proposed, conducted in several simulation loops. In each simulation loop, the cargo mass, release height, drop velocity and wind gust speed are the main variables. The results are given in a form of scatter plots, depicting the simulated cargo airdrop positions on the ground (or sea), around an actual target location, with respect to the drop height, drop velocity and wing magnitude. A solid conclusion is that, by releasing the cargo box with tailwind, the accuracy of the airdrop can be improved as much as 67% compared to any other wind direction.